Chronic Pain

Topics that do not belong in Chronic Pain Category

dilauro — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:58:08 -0700

I announced this about a month ago. The Chronic Pain forum category is to discuss problems relating to chronic pain.
We went through a number of new topics and about 60% have nothing to do with Chronic Pain.
We will start to move them. The categories on Spine-Health was set up specficially to help isolate key topic areas.
This not only makes it easier for people to make posts but for searching previous posts.
Please read our FAQ to understand the setup we use here.

Doing what we shouldn't do

MaggieP — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:06:08 -0800

Why do we do it? Today I loaded a heavy glass table top, and the wrought iron table and two chairs in the back of my Escape, to take to my brother's house tomorrow. I carried it off my deck, down 14 steps, and across the lawn. I knew it was too heavy when I did it Now tonight I am sitting here after taking all my meds, with my mid-back in spasms. Even the Tens isn't helping. My son is coming in the morning to stay at my place and take care of my dog. Why didn't I wait? What is it that makes us want to be so independent? I guess I'm just too stubborn.

Years of lower back pain...Now my upper back??

Lala329 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:00:09 -0800

Hi everyone!

I'm a little concerned today because I have developed a new pain. I am recovering from SI fusion surgery, and I am doing great. My lower back feels better than it has in years and I'm only 3 months out, so I'm super excited about this.

transforminal epidural injection at L4 & L5

bigboola — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:39:28 -0800

I received an epidural injection 10 days ago. My pain is now worse than ever and isn't improving. Why is this happening?

Dallas Spine Care

wmvincent — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:38:37 -0800

Getting ready to go to Dallas Spine Care in Dallas Texas. It is at 1261 record crossing. Dr. EDITED is the ortho-surgeon there. I know nothing about this place except what I see on the net. Does anyone out there know of this place and is it seen as a good place to go or a bad place to go? Thanks for your response.

Post Edited by Authority Member haglandc

RFTC branch block

granny5 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:05:12 -0800

Has anyone had this done and if so did it help? My PM suggested this (dorsal medial branch block L3, l4, L5, S1)

Retrolisthesis / listhesis - exercise, lumbar belt or surgery?

kaifmahmood — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:32:59 -0800

Hi all,

I have been trying to find more information / experiences relating to listhesis but there doesn't seem to be much on the internet about that.

My back pain started two years ago. I was diagnosed with mild protrusions on L5 S1 and L4 L5. Over time, the pain has become sciatic and I have also developed Grade 1 Retrolisthesis at L4 L5. The pain only seems to be getting worse over time and I wonder if I have to go in for surgery. Currently I exercise my back for 30 minutes a day as the physiotherapist has told me and walk about an hour a day.

The Bright Side

marks107 — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:27:00 -0800

Hello my friends, I know we're all in pain every second of everyday.It's really easy to think how bad things are,I know I've been in pain almost half my life.But I've learned,no matter how bad I feel everyday that if I try to laugh and try to make other people laugh I really do feel better.Don't get me wrong,some days all I really want to do is cry,but that won't make me feel any better.I thank my lucky stars everyday for pain meds but I also thank my stars for all the wonderful things in life.I know I will be in pain for the rest of my life sdo I try to make the best of things.J

Pulsating Pain???

zammer — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:38:57 -0800

Has anyone experienced continual pulsating back & nerve pain? From my back down right to my legs I am experiencing this weird pulsating/palpatating pain, it never-ever stops, a constant 24/7 nerve throbbing pain. Legs are very wobbly & feels like I'm on a boat, they have a swaying kinda feeling, yet pulsates!!! Horrible nausea & headaches too.

Bicycle riding

MissPiggy — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:47:41 -0800

My doctor says I shouldn't ride a bicycle. My PT says I probably shouldn't ride my bicycle. Does anyone see or had any benefits of riding one with back and leg pain and leg weakness?

Heating pad dangerous?

dmoonchild — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:43:13 -0800

I pretty much use my heating pad all the time, well I was getting in the shower the other day and my husband said OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Look at your back. I have brown spots all over from the heating pad is. Could I be cooking myself?It looks disgusting. Im so addicted to my heating pad, but I feel like a roast beef now!

Seeking Advice on Research, Doctors

ReneeM787 — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:32:52 -0800

Hi. I'm a 47 year old woman with chronic pain at the left side of my waist. I know I have a spina bifida occulta and unilateral pars defect at T12, both on the left.

The Dr.s I've asked about this over the years have kind of pooh-poohed this as much of a cause of my pain. But, finding nothing else, I'm on muscle relaxers and get lots of massage.

No longer holding on to hope

azemem01 — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:44:11 -0800

I have gone to my neuro on Thursday, We talked like we had the past few appointment I had with him. This time was differant. This time he had a vibe that just radiated from him that I could not ignore. All bloodwork, MRI's labs had come back and again not for the first time. He had a paper all filled out for me asked me how things were as usual told him something was happening because I was noticing more changes physically. He had a permanent disability form filled and signed for me.

Question - Is My Pain REALLY Under Control ???

MsHumptyDumpty — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:42:11 -0800

After about 6 yrs of taking Vicdon as needed I finally got to the point I could not handle the pain any more. My Dr agreed - actually he would have agreed much sooner, it was I who held off taking anything else.

I am now on the Fentanyl Patch 75 mg every 3 days and Oxycodone 5 mg 2 per 6 hrs as needed.

trouble walking distances with facet joint syndrome

in pain — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:02:24 -0800

Hi i was just wondering if anybody else has trouble , or is it normal to have a difficult time walking any great distance with facet joint syndrome. Also my pain gets worse the further I go and feels like everything is going to lock up. Thanks for reading my post. Just trying to get some answers.

CHRONIC PAIN NO DR

lynus — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:57:38 -0800

i have 2 major chronic pain issues. back in the 90s, i had 2 failed back surgeries. for many years it was relatively easy to get treatment. in 06 i was diagnosed with ipmn cysts on my pancreas (a pre cancer) which lead to chronic pancreatitis. i did find a dr to treat my back pain but the meds he gave me didn't help cp pain. i was recently rushed to er for severe abdominal pain, as given only enough mes. while in hospital, nothing for home. i told my dr. about this and he dropped me as a patient. i live in ma. anyone else with similar pain. lynus

Low Back Shooting Pain

granny5 — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:22:11 -0800

I am new to this board and hope to get some info from some of you users.

In 2006 I began having sharp shooting pains down my right leg, found out after a mri that I had 3 herniated discs. I was Referred to a pain mgmt doctor who gave me 3 steriod shots which helped somewhat. I finally decided to see a spine specialist who did surgery on those 3 discs in 2007. I continued to get occasional pain on and off in the low back area. Most recently low back spasms that can last from minutes to 8 hours or more.

Bad day

jlrfrye — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:00:01 -0800

Today is going to be a really bad day as far as pain goes,,,so here is what I am gonna do. I will take away everyones pain today and carry the burden by myself, This will leave everyone with a painfree day and tomorrow it is someone elses turn. I f it was only that easy. Everyone have a great, pain free day
Susan

PT today

MissPiggy — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:00:50 -0800

I went to PT this morning. I get a massage after some routine excersizes each time. My therapist was massaging the area I believe to be at L4-5 and he said the Lside was much harder than the Rside. This afternoon I was trying to do some errands and the front/inside of my ankle started to hurt. I sprained that ankle on the L outerside last April and have had no problems since May. It is absolutely giving me fits right now on the front and inside of that ankle and up my shin. Anyone have a clue to what could be the cause? or had similar symptoms? Thank you for any help

Knee Pain

EverythingHurts — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:35:05 -0800

Hi everyone, I'm new to the Knee & Hip Problems Board,

L5 S1 surgery - erectile dysfunction

ryeandy — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:54:00 -0800

Hello,
For the past 20 months, I have had chronic groin and back pain. At first my doctor recommended a urologist because of possible prostrate problems. None of the urologists said I had a problem. After trying about everything, I finally had a MRI, and it showed that I have a herniated disc on L5-S1. I am scheduled fr surgery in 10 days.

MRI Results - Need Help

scout24 — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:06:30 -0800

I had a cervical MRI which showed the following results:

At the C5-6 level, there is a disc space narrowing with disc degeneration and annular disc bulging. No central canal stenosis or foraminal encroachment it present.

At the C6-7 level there is early disc degeneration with minimal annular disc bulging. No central canal stenosis or foraminal encroachment is present.

There is no evidence of a herniated nucleus pulposus or central canal stenosis.

need help understanding my mri

johnbdoin — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:14:17 -0800

Hello everyone I need some help or can someone tell me what kind of ride i am in for with this back pain.I have been in const for many years and im afraid it caught up with me!!.My mri diagnosis is this spondylosis lumbar 721.3 Ok here we go at L4-5 bulging disc material and spondylosis cause partial effacement of the foraminal fat bilaterally.There apperas to be an annular tear involving the disc within the lateral aspect of the exit foramen on the right side.This may irrate the exiting L4 nerve root.No nerve root impingement is seen.A shallow right foraminal disc protrusion appears to be

My family

jj-from montreal — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:53:48 -0800

For the longest time I refused to accept my disabilities, my doctors, specialist were trying to make me under stand that there is nothing medically do-able any more,

I always hoped that one morning I would walk up and I was me again.

The pain medication I was taking did keep the pain to some degree at bay. It never took it completely away. There was always pain.

The medication I took, got me through the motion of life, the mechanics of life, but was slowly robbing me of the essence of life.

My whole existence evolved around Pain-pain meds- and their consequent side effects.

How do you manage?

Abbey — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:10:08 -0800

Any good tips for managing with chronic pain? I have a re-herniation and scar tissue at L5/S1 as well as issues with my SI joints. I have to work half days as I can't sit all day. This has been going on over a year and I am miserable.I have had 7 injections since last December and none have helped. Any tips on what you do to get you through the pain? I've tried ice,heat,rest,etc. If I have my fentanyl patch on and percocet going and I'm laying on my right side with heat I'm not bad but I can't live my life like that.

anyone similar

cashy — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:22:34 -0800

hi all im ken
had two operations on my back constant leg and backpain even with a spinal stimulator but trying to tell the doctord that u feel as if your right side does not seem in synk with the left is hard to do any one have this problem or is it my imagination for the past 5 year

I think it may be time

jlrfrye — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:54:50 -0800

I think it may be time for me to file for disability. It seems that things continue to go down hill for me and work is really becoming a struggle. I have been struggling with this for awhile now and just did not want to admit that my spine is getting the best of me. I have given myself a deadline of jan/1st and if things are not improved and the pain levels down, I dont think I have no choice. I am tired of coming home from work everyday a physical mess. Not only do I have neck issues the lower back has decided to join the party.

TTLC is being a big baby... bear with me.

TTLC — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:38:37 -0800

Chronic back pain with excrutiating tooth pain...

I'm so skeered! (That's my way of pronouncing "scared", when I'm truly scared).

I have an appointment this afternoon with my oral surgeon, as I'm pretty sure I have an abcessed molar (lower left jaw, the tooth right next to where the wisdom tooth is).

I have been putting this off, due to experiencing back pain while laying in a dental chair. But, because I have not slept for 3 days due to the tooth pain... it's time to go.

Roxicodone For My Pain

deadonthehead — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 11:22:03 -0800

Hello all. I have joined up here today because I as most of you have very severe back pain that seems to be getting worse by leaps and bounds every year now. Myself and my doctor suspect that this pain is a result of a bad motorcycle wreck back when I was a teenager and many years as a wrestler. I currently have a computer shop and have done much over the last few years to put as little strain as possible on my back.My doctor has recently changed my meds somewhat to get me away from as much acetaminophen as I was taking with me percocet.

backpain advice

jc3131 — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:05:31 -0800

Hello, I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on what i can do with my back problem?

It all started about 5-6 years ago when I started to notice a stiffness in the lower back. This gradually got worse to the point where if I made any sudden movements I would get a severe sharp stabbing pain to the right of my lower spine, this pain could knock me to the floor at times. As time wore on I started to be able to pinpoint where the sharp pain was.

chronic pain and leg spasm

cinhoo — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:17:52 -0800

ive been having alot of leg spasm on both legs, mostly at
night, i was wondering if there was a connection between
the two. and what could cause it?
thanks in advance
cindi

Physical therapy began

jlrfrye — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:05:34 -0800

I started physical therapy and have had 2 visits. The physical therapy is for lower back and I am in recovery for cervical surgery. Hers is the problem. The PT seems to be helping my back but it is making my neck a mess!!! The neck pain has now become constant and I cannot turn my head to the right. Should I continue with therapy or stop? Should I call surgeon and let him know what is going on? Or is this normal? It doesnt make sence to me because it is just light stretching and he did do traction(which I think was the culprit ). The traction is was seemed to help my back.

Question about spasms

lisa burek — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:14:43 -0800

Hi Spiney Friends,

I have a relatively new symptom that is really bugging me.

I have been getting incredibly-stop-in-my-tracks-spasms in my upper right butt.Always the same spot. Totally new for me. Anyone have some insight on lessening this pain?

My surgery is soon, hopefully it will rid me of this problem. Thanks for any input.

Involuntary stoicism w/doctors

Dedalus — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:45:12 -0800

Everytime I go to a doctor, I clam up and can't seem to express my true pain levels to them. It is so frustrating and I get so mad at myself afterwards. I plan. I write notes to myself. I take my wife with me. But no matter what I do, it seems that as soon as I get into that examination room, I lose my ability to express how much this pain has torn my life apart over the last 3 years.

THE MRI SCAN in 24 hours

straker — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:50:00 -0800

hi folks

tight neck from Lumbar spine problem

middles — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:01:53 -0800

i have something going on in my L5 area of my back that is causing the nerve or muscles in my neck to be really tight and in my traps, does any1 have any idea's i have had sum chiro treatment with a bigg adjustment it goes away for 3 days or so but always comes back, plZ help !!!!!!!!!!!1

Pretty Cool - website mri's

yasmina — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:15:20 -0800

this is a pretty neat website. Pretty basic, but shows some common disorders that show up on mri's - both cervical and lumbar. Each pic opens in a separate window, so you can compare if you want.

EDITED

Disclosure: I am not a staff member of this company, nor do I embrace the accuracy of the information. I provide this lik for those looking to figure out their mri pictures before they can get in to see their doctor.

[=red]Standards agreement and posting rules

No news is good news...

smiley735 — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:15:32 -0800

Well, I went for an MRI of my brain and lumbar spine last week. The brain MRI was to check for lesions, to ensure I didn't have MS, as my sister does. No lesions found (and yes, I do have a brain lol!!) As for my lumbar spine, they saw moderate DDD at L4/L5, but nothing much else. So, the pm figures the pain there is coming from the joints, and once he gets my neck settled, is going to start with facet joint injections at that level, too (I'm about to go for my 2nd set at C5/6 and C6/7). I just can't believe that I have all this pain, and nothing shows as to why.

please help my dad....thanks

horsegoer — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:09:41 -0800

ok, my dad is 62 and in very good shape.Ex triathlete, marathon runner.He has been almost paralyzed for the last two weeks. He has been to the doctor and they told him it is a pinched nerve in the lower lumbar due to arthritis of the disc. He has had an epidural shot and it really has not helped. He is also on meds that only give him mild relief. He is really depressed over this ans it is killing us emotionally. Does anyone have any tips/tricks that may help him?

thanks very much

Have you ever wondered if a wheel chair would help your pain?

MsHumptyDumpty — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:10:35 -0800

Please forgive me if I have posted such a question as this before. I don't think I have. It is a thought that comes to my mind once in awhile so maybe I did

My pain level tonight is TOPPED out, so not all brain cells are working right now.

I have been off my celebrex for about a week now and OMG this cold weather is maxing me!
I got by from samples from my Dr for over a yr but he finally ran out. Thanks to so wonderful members here I have a few more leads to track down that may help me. My insurance won't pay for my celebrex

Got and appointment

MissPiggy — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:48:01 -0800

I ade an appointment today to see my back surgeon on the 20th. I sure hope he can help in someway

Back and Neck Surgery

Riviera — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:38:36 -0800

I had lower back surgery in May 2008 and neck surgery in March 2009. Is it unrealistic of me to think I should be pain free?

Peripheral Neuropathy

Laur en Pain — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:06:20 -0800

I know this is not a back question, but it does fall under chronic pain and I haven't really been able to find a forum for this particular disease. My mom has suffered from painful non-diabetic peripheral neuropathy for the past 8 years. She is on the same pain meds as I am along with other meds like Neurontin for nerve pain and a whole lot of other ones that I can't remember. I have seen posts on here in the past about PN and was wondering if anyone has ever had peripheral nerve decompression or knows someone that has? If so, can you please let me know if it was successful? Thank you. Lauren.

Chronic Pain and AGING

gwennie17 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:31:36 -0800

Not that this is news to any of us that suffer with chronic pain, but it confirms what most of us were thinking:

"According to a recent announcement from the Journal of the American Geriatric Society, chronic pain can make a 50-year-old feel like they are 80-years-old.

Back Home From Disneyworld

lisa burek — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:49:44 -0800

Hi Everyone,

Well I am back from Disney, and I did pretty well! Don't get me wrong, I was suffering on and off, dearly, but I managed. I got one of those Guest Assistance Cards, but like another Poster, there weren't many times where I had to use it, the crowds/lines were very light.

Also had my 3 legged cane with seat and that helped a great deal. It was very interesting, not one person offered me their seat when I had to stand, with my obvious cane. I even had people trip over my cane and give me a dirty look, like it was my fault, and no "sorry/excuse me" (that was disappointing).

Please help, I need to know....

BeckieV — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:09:09 -0800

Duplicate post removed by authority member Cath111. Please refer to the forum rules regarding duplicate posting.

Please help!! leg pain

sarahkaloo — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:28:23 -0800

My mother is 54 years old she has severe pain and numbness in her left leg which extends down to her foot she can't walk for more than 5 minutes and at times she also feels heaviness together with numbness at the back of her head she got her MRI of L4-5spine done on the recommendation of a neurophysician and her result is as under:

Circumferential disc bulge at L4-5, which in combination with ligamentum flavum hypertrophy is causing moderate central canal and severe bilateral recess narrowing.

Chronic Pain and Acute Pain

dave — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:09:58 -0800

I posted the following story in another thread and thought it might lend itself to a lively discussion.

This past weekend, my wife asked me to taste the soup in the crock pot to make sure it was good and hot and that the potatoes were cooked. Being a typical guy, I spilled half of my taste on my shirt and the other half on my right foot. The second taste confirmed that everything was done and definately hot.

Pain after Spinal Fusion

bethparini — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:36:09 -0800

Hi I am looking for some suggestion on back pain after spinal fusion. I had a full back fusion with harrington rods back in 2002. Over the past two years my pain has increased to where it almost inbearable. The doctor i have now just writes it off and thinks I need more pt. i have tried everything from pt, massage therapy, chriropractor, excercise programs, medications. You name it I have tried it. I am looking for suggestions so i can finally get a good nights rest pain free.

On a positive note

firewater1981 — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:36:58 -0800

Does anyone have any useful tips on what helps them with their Chronic Pain?

On a positive note

firewater1981 — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:43:41 -0800

Duplcate post removed by moderator paulgla. Please refer to the forum rules regarding duplicate posting.

There are many types of TOS

jtreola@q.com — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:56:37 -0800

Please if you are having TOS symptoms arm neck pain hand pain go see a vascular surgeon asap they will do a sonogram and your arm and show if the blodd is flowing right or not...my blood is not flowing surgery is needed right a way because my TOS is cutting of my aterial vein which can lead to blood clots or anerusyms its a simple test....though i was shocked when i got diagnosed i thank god that i stop playing all the switch the dr. game and decided for myself who I needed to see....it is very rare but can be the cause of lots of pain, the test takes 10 minutes.

fusion set for 12-14-2009

kenny — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:37:48 -0800

hi i have severe left hip and groin pain it also travels to behind my left knee i had l4 l5 laminetomy 2007 now l4 l5 have shifted and r wants to do fusion l2-5 any tips on ways to manage pain diclofenac does not seem to work i have been on them for two years

MY INCISION HURTS!! HELP!

AlanaWilson — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 10:37:18 -0800

Its been 2 months since my surgery.

My back is doing WONDERFUL.

NOW my incision has been so sore for 2 weeks now.
Tender to the touch.
Tender own its own.
Looks the same?

It was doing so good, until now?

Any ideas?

I go to the doctor this Wednesday NOV 4th.

I was not fusing last month but feel like I couldr now.

Ivr been severly constipated, maybe the pushing? (Sorry, pretty graphic)

I hope someone has experienced something similar.

Thanks in advance!

Compression wedge fracture

Shiloh — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 13:08:22 -0700

I have a t-7 compression fracture with 50% or more loss of vertebral height. All of my cervical discs have DDD. I have two cervical disc bulges at 3mm, and one thoracic disc bulge at 2mm. I have been diagnosed with spinal stenosis, and a 60 degree kyphotic curve in my spine. I hurt all the time and cannot stay still. Iam moving around all the time in an effort to get more comfortable. Ultram 50mg several times a day seems to help, but really nothing takes it all away. Just putting a t-shirt on I found myself in the floor unable to move for about 45 min with severe pain in the neck.

failed spinal fusion @L4-5

williamcnorris52 — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:26:17 -0700

Had a Global 360 Fusion @L4-5 Apl. 06. Fusion/Occification never occured between lumbar plates, in and around, or inside hollow center of graft device (12mm femur segment).I have found here at 'SPINE-HEALTH', and other spine-surgery websites, images showing what a 'solid' fusion is suppose to look like. What I'd like to discuss or see is exactly what a 'non-union' looks like. I have a non-union, clearly shown in all of 'my' x-rays, but what I'm after is medically acceptable pictoral evidence of a non-unions. So far I have not been successfull in finding pictures of non-unions.

Pets help

Pamela G — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:55:25 -0700

I see lots of people posting pics of their pets, wow, thats awsome! I have three terriers and a cat myself, and I am owner operator of a mobile pet grooming business.

My Chiro says my lower back pain that I have been experiencing for several months now is due to lifting big dogs. But I don't lift them, my van is equiped with an electric table and ramp system. Sometimes I may have to assist. Like yesterday the hounds (Bassetts) need help getting on the table even in the lowest position becouse they can develop back problems too, due to short legs and stout long bodies.

doctors and lies

terror8396 — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 07:07:09 -0700

once again, i am reading post from various people, especially the ones about doctors who want patients to get off pain meds. doctors will use any excuse, and even lie, yes a doctor will lie to you. one person posted about her doctor wanting her to get off pain meds because they don't help pain after a while, they make it worse. the infamous dr drew of celebrity rehab is famous for his distortions and lies about narcoticsl yes, he even used this excuse on a patient. my favorite lies are when a doctor will med speak to you, knowing well that you have no idea what he is talking about.

I have cervical myelopothy, I experience problems

jj-from montreal — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:47:59 -0700

on my right should arm and fingers, does any one else experence similar problems, what can be done if any thing. Has any one lost sensation in thier hands and have the sensation return? always checking

Encouraging news and hopefully helpful advice - Duplicate post deleted

firewater1981 — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:12:09 -0700

Duplicate post deleted
Ron DiLauro , Spine-Health Administrator 10/29/09

This should be the only thread to watch:

http://www.spine-health.com/forum/back-surgery-and-neck-surgery/encourag...

Pain like an onion

Lorie — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:27:08 -0700

Has anyone else noticed the pattern of pain throughout their history, is like layers of an onion? At first (in my case, the day of injury) it was like the whole onion. The pain was complex, many faceted. Then as the muscle strain/sprain healled, a layer came off. Then as treatments began, another layer would come off and another... Until I'm left with what I call the core pain. The discogenic pain in lower back and undiagnosed similar pain in T-spine. I wake up in the morning and there it is, the core pain.

Challenges V Achievements of Chronic Pain

John — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:03:21 -0700

Challenges V Achievements of Chronic Pain

In dealing with pain we must be constantly aware of what we have achieved for the most part these transitions develop over time and we are less attuned to seeing how we have actually improved.

A Whole Lotta Pain

MissPiggy — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:44 -0700

I am in so much pain tonight. I work all day standing 90o/o of the time. But my left leg is killing me. The pain is mostly on the outside starting at the very top of my leg. But the pain wraps around my knee in the front then it goes to the inside of my calf. It is just pulsing.It has a numb-like sensation. What can I do? This is driving me crazy. I have taken all the pain meds I can for now inc percs, neurontin, tramadol, then Amrix(muscle relaxer) about an hour later(this was at work 5-6hrs ago). Now it's time for bed and I hurt so so bad.My PM says I have Failed Back Syndrom.

Trying to cut back on meds

j.howie — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:46:31 -0700

For an upcoming surgery. I have reduced my 60 mg. a day Methadone down to 50. How ever my 2 a day 20 mg. of hydrochdone for break through (I cut a long time ago back to 1 a day) has been very hard to cut. Because there is so much to be done before surgery
and that is just causing more pain spikes. And I truly think the fear of surgery causes me more pain from being tense.

questions

tinker43 — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:21:04 -0700

My pm doctor is suggesting and has been suggesting for a couple of visits now that I go off my pain meds for a time period and then go back on them. Her theory is that for some people, narcotics can actually make your pain worse, if you have been on pain pills for a long time, your pain medications can be attributing to your pain instead of helping it. So her solution is to take a break from pain meds. I am not sure how long she is talking about taking a break from, I did not ask her, I think she is talking 30 days.

Worker's Comp and Pain

Lorie — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:29:04 -0700

Saturday Aug. 15th I lifted a heavy box in awkward position. I felt a pop in lower back and a burning that spread up to my neck, across my shoulders, between my hips, basically everywhere. I finished working the day and noted the way the pain spread and changed.
Monday I went to the Worker's Comp Clinic and immediately realized I had entered realm where I didn't know the rules, the language, customs, nothing. I was just hurt and wanted the doctor to find what was broke and lets fix it. Bing batta bing. That was 2 1/2 months ago. Wow.

Posiitional MRIs

PeggyM — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 02:49:53 -0700

Someone has PM'd me to say I should have put "Positional MRI" in the title, not "thank you" because a lot of people might not see this so because I couldn't find a way to change the Subject I am just reposting it. Mods can delete the other one if they would like to.

Because of you wonderful people I steered my son who has had terribly painful back (cervical, thoracic & lumbar)issues towards an Imaging Center that does Positional MRIs.

Cymbalta withdrawal sx's + my hips have PTSD!!!

MaggieP — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 11:54:46 -0700

Does pain ever end I am in the process of withdrawal from Cymbalta, down from 60mg a day to 30mg a day. Having all the typical withdrawal sx's. Dumb me, I thought I was getting the flue. This morning a light bulb went off and I realized I was feeling ill from the withdrawal. I thought by reducing slowly, I wouldn't get sx's. Wrong!! Anybody have any tips on how to manage these sx"s? Along with that, my nerve pain is flaring up too. AND, got the results of the hip and pelvis x-rays I had done a week ago.

going on 4 months.

cocolynn — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:33:17 -0700

i am a female 18 years old and i have had extreme back pain for going on 4 months now. ive seen my family practice dr. he had xrays taken and they came back clear. he gave me an NSAID pain reliever to take for 10 days but it didnt even touch the pain. i am now seeing a physical therapist an am working on strenthing the muscles along with getting muscles massages from her to release some of the tension. i have been going to physical therapy for almost a month now and have seen some but little improvment.

Breakthrough Pain

bob5958 — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:20:17 -0700

I've been taking Avinza for almost seven years, with overall good results. Recently, I experience severe low back pain about 18-20 hours after taking Avinza, which is supposed to be a once a day medication.
My doctor ordered me to take the Avinza every 21 hours instead of every 24 hrs. Has anyone else done this? Aren't there meds for breakthrough pain?

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

PeggyM — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:27:46 -0700

Because of you wonderful people I steered my son who has had terribly painful back (cervical, thoracic & lumbar)issues towards an Imaging Center that does Positional MRIs.

He has been suffering for about 6 years and it was steadily getting worse. He had had MRIs and been to 3 different Neurosurgeons with 3 different diagnoses, none which gave him an answer to his pain.

Freaked out happening too fast

j.howie — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:39:57 -0700

When I went back to see my latest ortho. surgeon to figure out where this increased pain was coming from about a month ago. I really expected It could be my scs ipg had migrated or maybe to much tension on the leads. I also knew 3 years ago when he looked at the mri, I had ddd in L3-L2 with moderate buldging and remarkable narrowing. At that time he said to come back and see him and a new procedure would be FDA approved to do surgery on it. At that time surgery wasn't an option because they couldn't go in from either front or back because of scar tissue and too much plaque.

First time seeing a pain man. doctor-how should I best choose one, what expectations should I have, etc?

midwest_jay — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:39:15 -0700

I've had pain in my back and neck for almost 2 years now.
I am 34 years old. My internist has tried to manage the pain with Hydrocodone for just over a year now.
It's not doing the trick. The relief comes on slow and is not that effective. I've also tried a TENS unit and p.t.
My dr. agreed to refer me to an actual pain management specialist.
I opened the yellow pages and there's over 2 dozen to choose from. I want an excellent doctor, and I need help in how best to choose one.
I'm sure there are certain things to ask about, etc.

Twilight Anesthesia - does it work on people with back injuries?

MsHumptyDumpty — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:51:34 -0700

I am having surgery on Friday Oct 23rd. and the Dr. said he will be using twilight anesthesia. I have always been knocked out cold - the way I prefer lol in other surgeries, so this is all new to me.

Will I feel pain still?

Does this work on people like me with a totally messed up spine/back?

If it matters I am having a ( maybe TMI for men ) Ablation surgery for severe cycle bleeding. The Dr. is also doing a D&C along with the ablation.

medial branch block

jvickers5937 — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:39:20 -0700

I've had pain for many years now in my lower back. A little over two years ago I had a 2 level fusion of L4/5 and L5/S1. One level did not take and after fighting with my doctor and getting worse by the day I got a second opinion. Come to find out he said I would never fuse in that area without a revision. I had also been walking around with loose hardward and micro fractures in my sacrum area and around one of the screws. Needless to say the second doctor did the revision and I am was better than before. Solid fusion both levels and loss of leg pain.

just curious

mommatialuv — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:11:48 -0700

At what point does our pain technically go from "normal post op pain" to chronic pain?
Thanks,
Shirley

Mortons Toe

vivavegas — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 01:05:55 -0700

Hi all, I wasnt sure where to put this post,i was considering Arthritis, but decided maybe here was the best spot...anyway.Just a few days ago I came across a rather intresting article about how the feet can really effect posture and pain.This article focused on whats known as MORTONS TOE...( this is where the 2nd toe is longer than the first big toe) most of the time bunions,claw toes, hammertoes and small bunions on other toes are also part of this deformity.

Move to recognise chronic pain as disease

Peter B — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 20:38:27 -0700

Good news at last. This article appeared in our local paper, The West Australian, today:
"Australia could become the first country to recognise chronic pain as a disease in its own right, giving sufferers greater credibility and access to more integral services.

Chronic pain, which affects one in five people and costs the economy about $A34.4 billion a year, is the third-most expensive health problem in Australia, but most sufferers were still seen as malingerers or drug seekers by general practitioners and busy ED staff, pain specialist Michael Cousins said yesterday.

Looking for Ideas

Fireblade-USMC — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:31:06 -0700

I need some advice. I had a Laminectomy done in Aug 2008 with 2 discs fused at L5-S1 and L4-L5.

Recovery at first went very well but then about 8 weeks into it. I started to suffer incontenence. This resulted in two prostate surgeries. I am fairly sure that they may have not been necessary as I am thinking this is associated with those discs. I never had this problem until I had this surgery.

My pain continued and in Jan 2008, I had a Spinal Stimulkator implant installed. This seemed to work so I went back to my Job on Feb 15th.

Great Tx Dr.

Endo24 — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:29:47 -0700

This doctor will really take the time to actually help you, I know how you feel and he has really helped me A LOT!! His office is around San Antonio and has an office in Austin as well. I live N/W of Dallas and it is definitely worth the drive to see him. EDITED

[=red]Standards agreement and posting rules

A Beautiful Distraction From CFS

Wandtmac — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:05:07 -0700

I don't know if the new drug the doctors gave me for sleep is working or the fact a I have beautiful month old baby I have been caring for since her birth, but my sleep has improved and my pain is less. I have to admit the baby is wearing me out! But, its a good work out and I sleep more now than before. Its been hard caring for her since I haven't regained use of my left arm yet but the joy of having a little one around is awesome. I never could have children and her mommy has been extremely ill since her birth and her real grandparents won't assist that much due to racial issues.

feet & legs burning, back pain out of sight

MaggieP — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 22:09:07 -0700

I spent the afternoon buying a 2008 Ford Escape Limited. Heated leather seats 6 way adjustable, heated mirrors, lots of bells and whstles. Hated to give up my navigation, but couldn't take getting down into the CivicEX. I went back a year, but the SUV just makes more sense for me. You all know how much standing around you do when buying a car, not a quick process! I had planned on groc shopping afterwards, got in the store, grabbed about 3 things and came home. My back is in major pain, and my feet feel like they're burning up. Any input on increasing the next dose of neurontin?

Case Study-COMPLETED

Wandtmac — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 16:05:25 -0700

Thanks to the support here I spent last week at a relatively close university having a case study done on me. I had posted a few weeks ago that I had a doctor that really wanted to have me sent to a university to have this done and I was hesitating and the support here really helped me to go ahead.
I spent most of this week having all the xray's, mri's, ct's and so much blood work that I believe they have a happy vampire on staff somewhere.

Burning in hands-anyone -anyone have advice for helping relieve it?

Laurie Ann — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 11:54:38 -0700

the burning sensation is driving me nuts! I took my meds-Vicodin,neurontin,relafin,flexeril. nothing is helping. Anyone have wasy of relieving the pain??????? I'll try anything.

Resistance is futile!

Centurion45 — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 05:50:01 -0700

Morning all - sunny -just above freezing.

This is something that I deal with on a continual basis. Pain, from the mechanical movement. Arthritis too,so I have to move in order to keep pain at bay. These are some of my daily acute pain issues. It is these that sets up the chronic as a side "PAIN" show to my life. It is neither good or bad, it is there. I try not to buy into it.

A little math play.
Area of a rectangle is height X length. If you make the length of the rectangle, twice as long, you double the area, but you still have the same height. 2A= H X 2L

Strange couple of days

Wrambler — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:44:08 -0700

I'm not intending to really sound like I am complaining with this. I am more confused about the symptoms than anything else.

Nerve block or ESI?

Laur en Pain — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:24:50 -0700

I have an upcoming appt with my pain management doc on the 19th to discuss the 2 ESI's that I've had in the past month and a half. I think she wants to discuss whether or not to do the 3rd injection. I have been doing some research on nerve blocks and it seems that I may be eligible for one since I have had 2 ESI's with no relief. My most severe pain is in the lower left side of my back and radiates to the front of my left leg and hip.

Itchy muscles??

Lala329 — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 20:33:18 -0700

I've got a quick question...

I'm currently back in PT for post-surgical reconditioning, and I've developed what can only be described as an itching feeling in my deep lumbar spinal muscles. It's not a muscle spasm, but if I jab my finger deep into the muscle layer it stops the itching sensation temporarily. It's rather uncomfortable, so I was just wondering if anyone has ever experienced something similar, or knows what it could be, or has any solutions? I'm hoping it's a good sign that maybe the muscles are just recovering or something...

Thanks

Fact is Stranger than Fiction

eajoseph — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 20:20:27 -0700

I am so sorry that I have not posted for so long. A lot has happened and I'll try to get you guys caught up without writing War and Peace. And I promise to get caught up on the posts I haven't read. Things went horribly wrong near the end of August.

Positive note first. I saw a Neurologist and LOVED her. I feel as if she's going to try and help me figure out what is wrong.

What a miserable weekend...

Mouse — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 17:46:07 -0700

Our weather is so cold, so quickly.. I can hardly move when I wake up and over the weekend I noticed the pain is what wakes me up - not my alarm clock at 5 in the morn like on work days.. I hate that!

worsening morning pains & morning stiffness--anyone else?

johnny — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 17:14:57 -0700

apologies this is so long! thanks in advance for reading:

i have had intense chronic pain in my lower back (l4, l5, s1) for almost 2 years. it may be ddd.

a new tangent has developed recently, & i'm concerned. i'm waking up with a cluster of painful symptoms each morning. they recede somewhat over the day, & then they reappear overnight during sleep & wake me up again the next morning.

Does anyone else hear "clicks" in their head when their back cracks?

Brihtwulf — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 08:24:27 -0700

I've had this happening for quite some time, and for a while I thought it was probably normal. But people I've talked to don't really seem to experience the same thing, so I thought I would ask here to see if maybe it's related to my spinal issues. I'll try to explain what it sounds like.

epidural side effects

KENTUCKYGIRL65 — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 20:33:23 -0700

HI JUST HAD MY SECOND EPIDURAL FOR CHRONIC BACK PAIN, I WANTED TO ASK IF ANYONE ON HERE THAT HAS HAD THESE GET SORES IN THERE MOUTH AFTER INJECTIONS, MY SISTER HAD THREE INJECTIONS AND HER MOUTH BROKE OUT WITH BLISTERS NOW MINE HAS DONE THE SAME.PLEASE IF ANYONE HAS SOME FEEDBACK IT WOULD BE HELPFUL

anterior lumbar interbody fusion T12-L2, awoke with acute pain

Glennbo — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 17:09:33 -0700

9 yrs ago. I had disabling back pain. I went to the Spine Institute in NY.(I was told this was the best place to be). I live in Delaware. I was told that ALIF at T12-L2 would fix me right up. Would be able to be driving wiyhin 2 wks. 9 yrs later I am still in severe pain. My fusion was done rhaums cages, titanium rods + 6-screws. They used my 10th rib for the graph. Pain meds give little releif. I mean a whole laundry list. 160mg oxycotin 3x daily, 15mg Oxyi IR 6x daily, oxyifast for break through pain, zanaflex, muscle relaxer 4x daily, Pamelor. Unable to take anti-inflamatories.

MRI Findings

Anitam — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 13:36:33 -0700

Hello Everyone,
I posted a topic yesterday about my MRI findings, but I have now gotten the MRI report. I was hoping that someone could shed some light on what some of the medical terms mean. I can not understand them for the life of me. I now that all you can give is opinions, but anything helps. Here are the findings....

FINDINGS: Sagittal spinal alignment is anatomic. There is mild disc space narrowing at L5-L1. The tip of the conus lies at the T12-L1 level.

does anyone have this??

vivavegas — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 02:48:13 -0700

I dont know if this is the proper place to post this, but anyway I'll post.I was just curious to know if anyone with back issues does any of the followin.Walk on their tip toes, walk with what seems like a flat foot on the ground and the other foot like seems higher up and like they cant get their heel to touch the floor, has anyone been told they have a high shoulder but to the person themselves they feel the opposite shoulder is a little higher, Im just curious to know cause I have been reading a book where this woman had a slight scoloisis.only slight, she had been to chiropractors, osteopa

Lower back/Right Leg pain

Anitam — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:43:21 -0700

I have a couple of questions, that I would like to ask. I am fairly new to this site, but have used it a few times and I was so happy with all of the opinions/suggestions that I got form the other users, so I thought that I would try using the site again.

MRI findings and chronic lower/leg pain

Anitam — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:08:03 -0700

I had an MRI done in 2008 and it stated that I have mild bulging from L-5 through S-1. T11 and T12 mild broad based annulus. Multiple Chronic Schmorl's Nodes noted. I have been falling a lot due to my right leg going numb. I have been in severe pain for a couple of years, but the pain that I have been having in the last few Months is horrible. I had a fall on 10/1/2009 and ever since then it has been hard to walk due to the numbness and tingling in my right leg. I have severe pain from the middle to the lower portion of my back.

Our Families/Caregivers

lisa burek — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:23:55 -0700

Hi Spineys,

I just PM'd Straker and part of what I wrote was to ask how his wife is doing through all of his problems.

That got me thinking about how our families deal with our pain issues, be it dealing with chronic pain, or recovery from a difficult surgery, etc.

Be aware of "blanket" statements

j.howie — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:15:36 -0700

Learn to sift through what you read. Make sure it applies to you and your situation, as we are all uniquely Different.
Today, I woke up in agonizing Pain. I can always tell how my day will probably be the minute I get out of bed. (if I get out)
1. I'm incredibly stiff and hurt somewhat
2. I gingerly walk into the dressing room bend over to put on my underwear. And experience a ripping in my lower back.
3. I do the same but also have a knife stabbing me.
4. I do the same but it feels like a lion took a bite out of my back.

I did it! I e-mailed Oprah

stockbroker — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 08:39:17 -0700

I don't know if any of you saw Oprah last week (or maybe it was the week before). Dr. Oz was on blasting the evils of narcotic pain medicine. Apparently, there was a mother and son who were abusing the stuff. You all know the story. Towards the end of the segment, Dr. Oz had visual aids: livers damaged by narcotic drug use. I happened to be seeing my PM doc that week and, concerned, asked her if I was ruining my liver. Anyway, we all talk about it. We are all sick of hearing the one-sided negative rants; the legislators wanting to ban these drugs blah blah blah.

fights on the board

terror8396 — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 07:16:28 -0700

It has been almost 2 years that i have been reading and posting on the chronic pain board. i was sitting in my class waiting for a meeting when i started to read a topic that was closed. i came to realize that there are 2 types of people on this board, one who feels that unconditional support and hugs and kisses are the only way, and others who feel that this is a self pitting approach to life. the problem is that these 2 conflict with each other and after a while it gets into a shouting match on line.

Need Help w/MRI BoneScan

briann97303 — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 21:51:51 -0700

Hi to all!
This is my first time posting so bear with me...My back pain started after I had a nasty fall down the stairs @ home-I broke my ankle & @ the time figured I would heal and get back to normal life. Pain started out in the low back & I went to accupuncturist for treatment he helped a lot & the pain was manageable-Dec. of 2007 I was shampooing my carpet & was suddenly in severe pain that landed me in Hosp.

Severe Intestinal Pain w/ Chronic Back Pain

mama4jesus — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:02:13 -0700

Hi all,
I'm writing on behalf of my husband. He has a diagnosis of DDD, and a few other things I can't think of right off hand. He injured his back in the Marine Corps back in 1989, and it has progressively gotten worse.

He's been experiencing something awful lately. It starts as middle to low back pain, then progresses into his small intestine area (severe pain, bloating, burping up sulfur smelling gas), then he gets diarrhea, then nausea, vomiting, and experiences cold sweats (he'll be freezing cold in 80 degree weather and sweating buckets at the same time).

Specialist costs in the U.S.A

Reecy — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:09:59 -0700

Hi Everybody,

I'm new to this site and i'm posting from Ireland.
I am a 30yr old female.I have had chronic pain since a chil dhood accident at the age of 11.I have had many different forms of treatment.I have had a discetomy on L4/L5 level.My discs have degenerated since and im constantly in pain with nerve pain, sciatica etc.

My level of care in Ireland does not even come close to America.You guys have excellent facilities and doctors.

in pain and worried sick

straker — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:42:33 -0700

as some off you know i was given bad news the other day .i am no longer suitable for {normal} spine surgery ,the only option open to me is ADR {artificial disc replacement} and i would need it doing at three levels .so not the easiest of operations .i have an MRI scan coming up shortly .then a consultation with a consultant .i know very little about ADR and i feel out of my depth with this one .i am normally giving out advice to others but now i find myself hunting for answers for my own problems {i have found a UK web site that is only for ADR and the founder is going to contact me for a chat

Ultrasound versus Fluroscopy guided procedures

Lala329 — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 17:20:23 -0700

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone here has a PM doc that does ultrasound guided injections instead of always using a fluoroscope? Is that even a viable option with injections? I got curious because I got a copy of some clinical notes from one of my PM docs, and in it his recommendation was "possible ultrasound guided injection at next appointment." The doc is out of state so I don't see him anymore, but have never been to another PM guy that even mentioned the possibility of avoiding the fluoroscope and doing things with ultrasound.

Chronic pain signature maladies

j.howie — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 16:05:26 -0700

They seem to irritate some And they can be a distraction.
Personally, I got tired of explaining to people who were interested, The medical facts. Mostly because I can't type. Well.I did take typing 1 in my sophomore year in high school. But that was just to be nearer to the girls. LOL.
I passed with a complimentary D- just cause the teacher didn't want to see me next semester. I did how ever type 30 words a min. with 6 mistakes. But that was a million years ago!

Daughter is PG and has a spinal injury - need pain control info please

Beth1187 — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 21:48:14 -0700

My adult daughter who has 4 children and is 6 months PG with #5 has a back injury. She has a herniated disk ( at least 1 that we are sure of, suspect more ). Spinal stoniness, degenerative disk disease, spinal arthritis, scoliosis.

A song dedication for my chronic pain sufferers

deltalady — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 14:15:20 -0700

I heard a song on the radio today by Kenny Chesney and Dave Matthews entitled, "I'm Alive and Well." You can listen to it at the internet address listed below. (or if you have trouble just google Kenny Chesney and Dave Matthews new song, and this will be the first web address).

It really touched my heart and thought of all of you -- sending you this song with a hug. Hope you like it too.

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T333wb9xByI

Judy

Locus of Control

BionicWoman — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:21:47 -0700

A big part of my educational/professional background involves understanding human social behavior - online and offline. Among the head-butting going on around here lately, I've noticed an underlying issue and I thought some people might be interesting in this little tidbit of information that could explain a part of it.

Intense pain in my ankles, but no injury.

allykat — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 19:43:14 -0700

Hi I am new to this forum and I am desperate. I have had leg pain and back pain for 6 months. My MRI indicates i have a bulged disc and canal stenosis at l4 l5 on the right side. But I have intense pain in my ankles. It feels like my ankles have been smashed with a sledge hammer. But I did not have an injury and my feet are not bruised or swollen. They ache when I lie down, i can not sit down (but not because of sciatica but because of aches in my calves and ankles) and I can barely stand up for longer then a very short shower.

Car accident injuries and the problems that came along with it!

Colleen — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:00:42 -0700

Hello Everyone,

I added a tag to update my profile

Disabled American Veteran — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:37:04 -0700

After several messages stating that maybe my spine isn't as bad as some. Maybe I don't feel the pain or have the problems that most have. That my condition isn't as bad as others and that is the reason I post to get out and be active. That if I had the pain like most of you I wouldn't say that. So I decided to put a tag on my name. Just honestly a brief one that I could put together from some of my medical sitting on the shelf behind me. It's not compelete list. I didn't cover my neck area or my thoriac are ( middle back) because honestly... I'm tired LOL

Every time my chronic pain gets me down

j.howie — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:36:39 -0700

I find out someone else has it worse. I just found out my brother in law, who is also a very good friend. Just had a heart attack. And he is 10 younger than me!
So off I go, down to the valley. In hopes that everything will be OK.
Good luck, Jim

Pain has forced me to quit my job! :( :( :(

Beth1187 — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 22:41:48 -0700

Remember I was SO excited to be going back to work. I had everything all planned out and thought it was pretty easy and very do-able. NOT!

I only worked 2 days ( well nights as it's the midnight shift )in our small family owned commercial cleaning biz.

The first night was rough but not agony, so I assumed it was just my body adjusting to getting back to being used.

I had almost 2 full days off and was well recovered and the second night was beyond horrible!

back from pain doc!

Refugee — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:47:59 -0700

Okay here it goes i am so upset. I think i have physically fell apart and emotionally also im sure. I am 37 and cant work so i just dont know why all this keeps happening. How depressing this is everything just keeps coming up. At first i was happy yay he finally found something then the depression hit and i want to cry.

My pain doc is so nice and sweet and i hope our relationship stays like it is cause it just isnt easy to find a doctor with a good personality.

?'s trigger point injections & possible new pain meds

kimmeam — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 05:50:52 -0700

I have been diagnosed with failed surgery meaning that I am in more pain than before my acdf c5/6.
I went to a new PM who did trigger point injections yesterday. OMG! The pain is much worse than before in my shoulders & when I turn my neck.
He also wants to put me on methadone. He says that it is the best long term chronic pain med. I keep hearing horror stories about this med. I'm asking for any eperiences with this med. My Dr.'s do not want to give me oxys as for tolerance issues. I would think they wouldn't want to rx the methadone even more? I could be totally wrong.

Thoracic & Lumbar Pain - What is going on?

briansweat — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:39:27 -0700

I am a 21 year old college student with an extremely active/athletic history. I started getting thoracic/lumbar back pain in May 2009, when I switched to a road bicycle while training for triathlons. I went from being pain free to almost not able to walk in 4 days. My pain never entirely went away, but subsided for a few months. My pain is centered between my shoulder blades on my spine, and is very tender to the touch. I have been experience sciatica, and loss of sensation in my feet.

Any one with Cronic Neoropathy of the feet?

rawntakacs — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 21:43:58 -0700

Hi,
This is my first post and have had cronic neuropathy for 5 years, the last 2 I have gone through the Dellon nerve decompression surgery, spinal cord sttimulater and every drug known to man, have had every side effect and still no major relief. I now stay at about a 7-8 most days and inject Dilaudid 4mg 8 times a day. Wondering if there is anyone that has any good luck with dilaudid as it does not seem to work that well because of the tolerance my body has built up with it over the last 12 months,
Has anyone here ever tried Prialt???
Please help if you can.

SCS Lead Appointment, Good news, Bad news (MOVED)

dilauro — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:48:19 -0700

The subject thread has been moved to:

http://www.spine-health.com/forum/pain-management/scs-lead-appointment-g...

You can continue to follow this thread and post over in the Pain Management Category.

Thank you Jim for your complete understanding of this situation.

6 months, 3 new protrusions.

kaifmahmood — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:58:32 -0700

Six months ago, I got my first MRI done which showed a mild protrusion at L5 S1. Last week, I got my second MRI, which shows that this protrusion has increased. In addition, I have mild protrusions at L4/L5, D11/D12 and D12/L1 and an exaggerated lordotic curve.

Weather Changes are Agony!

Mouse — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 07:18:50 -0700

OMG, I was bawling like a baby getting ready for work this morning. I hurt SO bad. We are supposed to have snow by Thursday. Going from 81 to 45ish by tomorrow and I can feel it! My new arm thing is back fullbore and I can't even lift a bottle of pepsi to take a drink. I'd imagine I will be needing an extra dose of pain meds to get thru this day.

EXTENSIVE CASE STUDY

Wandtmac — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:36:29 -0700

my primary care dr (internal medicine) called and had a talk with me today. he had been on vacation and stated i was on his mind a lot while he was away. i have a really close relationship with this doctor and he has tried for the last several years to find out why i suffer from chronic pain and why my body is just falling apart. i have had extensive testing done and he has not overlooked any symptom. my test results have came back with all sorts of postives... fifths diseases, mono, human provo ( what the crap!

Never going Grocery Shopping Again!!

patwhite101 — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:13:00 -0700

Today I had to do a little shopping. It's rare that I ever do any kind of shpping. Tammy, the girl that cleans for me one day a week also shops for me but I HAD to get flea drops for my little dog at the Vets, also pick up dog food and few a other things at Wal-Mart.
The last time I did any shopping my sis pushed me in a wheel chair.
Today I did not use a wheel chair...I WALKED and I am in absolute agony!!

Owestry Disability Index

meydey321 — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:19:41 -0700

Has anyone else taken this test? I did it years back at my surgeon's office and recently did it over online at chirogeek. My overall score was 66 after I multiplied my initial score by 100 and divided that by 50. My score falls under "Cripple" (Great, real nice)- 61-80 is the range. This is the test that asks you how you do with sitting, walking, taking meds, personal care, traveling, etc.

Spazd muscles starting to let go with new meds.... Ouch!

HollieSterling38 — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 05:06:40 -0700

I've always known your muscles will spasm around a condition to protect it so to say. Now i've been taking baclofen ( which thay give people with ms)instead of soma and they are letting up. Now I'm feeling deeper pain that was overtaken by the muscle pain. And my muscles feel sore from being spastic for so long. The spine pain is even more intense, I thought the spasms were bad, now I feel why they were so spazd.
Sheesh, I almost wish they still were.

banned for repeated inappropriate behavior

athlete — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 16:59:25 -0700

Inappropriate post, deleted
While you may think your posts are are , they are not for this site.
Ron DiLauro, Spine-Health Administrator 09/27/09

psoas muscle release

vivavegas — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 04:30:32 -0700

Hi Im wondering if I may take up a few minutes of your time, im looking for inforamtion on psoas muscle release, has anyone had it donemanually or surgically, and what were your specific needs for having to have it released?? what else it seemsed to help if anything?? and generally how you felt after having it done, im seeing an orthapedic on the 8th october as i came across research that says they can release the psoas muscle surgically.......i would really appreciate input guys.....anything! something! lol

What Things Do You Do To Keep The Cold Air Off Your Injury?

Beth1187 — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 21:48:48 -0700

I live in Pa. Today quickly reminded me that cold/cool air is so very painful for me with no relief once I am cold.

I have 1 area on my lower back that if it gets even cool or damp air I am in agony. The Dr's assume it is a nerve thing. Once cold air hits it there is no return from the pain & spasms that hit me. I do go right to bed as we have a water bed, but even that does not remove the pain completely but does handel the crisis level of OMG pain..

My question is do any of you this issue? & What do you do to keep from cold or damp getting to your injured area?

STRAKERS HOSPITAL RESULT ...NOT GOOD !!

straker — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 05:50:51 -0700

we folks

So bored

meydey321 — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:40:41 -0700

I know this question was posted once or twice, but what does one do when they are too laid up to go out? I'm so bored that I cry out of frustration right now. I am so sick of being at home and I feel so cooped up. I'm broke too so there you have it- nothing to do and nowhere to go. God I want to rip my hair out, I'm so sick and tired of all this. I want a damned life. It seems like everyone else has stuff to do or somewhere to be and I'm just here rotting in my bedroom. I have nothing to do but vent. Don't know what else to do with myself.

Need To Find A Pain Managment Doc, Help?

dolls2diamonds — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 05:48:37 -0700

Hi, I have tried to research this on the net, but all I can find are locations more than 1 hour away. I will drive it if I have to, but am hoping someone can direct me to a better way to find a doctor sooner. I need someone around Greenwood , South Carolina. Please will someone help me?

Any thoughts, and/or advice appreciated!

Brandy

hospital appointment on Saturday with the neurosurgeons

straker — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:36:42 -0700

yes its amazing i have been told that i would have to wait for 12/16 weeks just to be seen let alone scanned or any treatment .but i told my doctor and he has just rang me and said that you are going to be seen in the morning!! {he has been on at them at the hospital to see me as he knows just how much pain i am in } so its taken just 3 weeks from me seeing the doctor to being seen by the neurosurgeon's .not bad going ..now lets just hope that something can be done for me
STRAKER

What does pain in left leg and right leg mean?

adamb — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:59:52 -0700

I had always had issues and pain in my rt leg and recently it is in left leg. I have had surgery L4/5 Fusion in March 08. Prior I only had issues in Rt, My Left Hip back feels like a pinching and it shoots down my leg, feels the same as right. So I am wondering is it all associated, like nothing is new or does it indicate that their is issues below the site of the fusion?

Quality Of Life Where are You?

AlwaysAchin — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 09:42:01 -0700

The Quality of Life scale is one of the main reasons I began looking for others like myself. Reading that scale scared me very bad. I cried for days when I read that scale and the best I could manage on it is a 2 !

At what level would you say you were at? Doesn't make you sad or angry to find yourself at that level? And have you found any ways to move up the scale if so what?

Thanks for listening and sharing, I could sooooo use someone to let me know they made it higher on that scale after doing something!

Kathy

i can't understand you

terror8396 — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 07:49:51 -0700

through the couple of years that i have read and posted on this site, i have come to one conclusion. as i read posts, i don't understand what is going on. it seems like some people have a medical dictionary and use words or conditions that i don't know or they don't know what they are. i don't think i am the only one who feels this way. when someone posts that they have a bilateral steonic development of the cervical bilateral 5 vertabrae on the right side which is compounded by unilateral orifices in the conjuctiva joint. i go what?

when is too much too much

terror8396 — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:22:04 -0700

I know it is an individual choice but when do we give up with surgery? how much is too much? it seems like we reach a point of no return when it comes down to surgery. I've had 4 back surgeries with a possible 5th next year. i might have hardware removed and a stenosis decompressed. but 5 seems like a lot to have. i know surgeries cause scar tissue and other problems, but if one thinks they need another to fix then what. one dr says no more surgery and another thinks it might be a possibility in the future. if so then one might get the reputation of a person who is knife happy.

Headaches and neck pain

paulgla — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:18:03 -0700

Headaches and neck pain

In the past eight months my neck pain has been increasing. About five months ago I got a headache which has not gone away since. It keeps getting worse and worse along with my neck/shoulder pain. The headaches spike 3 or 4 times a day. When they peak the pain is awful. It is similar to getting one of the freeze headaches when you eat ice cream too fast.

"New & increased pain after epidural shows it's working" - receptionist statement

mid-way_tilt — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:06:41 -0700

I had a fourth lumbar epidural injection at the beginning of this month. The day after, I started having "new" pain that never occurred before - I wound up screaming when I was getting out of a chair after dinner - felt like my whole back went out. In the week that followed I had a repeat episode where slight movement sent me screaming and single episode of sciatica pain shooting down my left leg and complete numbness in my left foot with tingling in the toes - before the epidural I had numbness in my right foot only.

New to site...looking for answers

enoch236 — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:28:20 -0700

i'm not sure how to start? well, I have 6 crushed vertebrae in my back 3 upper, 3 lower, I have a fractured vertebrae in my neck from a car accident. And I have my left shoulder sepperated. I'm in constant pain and it's getting worse all the time. I have been told I have sciaticia but I'm not sure if that is what I have. Can anybody help with suggestions to help with the pain?

Advise

Halifaxgirl — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:55:40 -0700

In November of 2008 I was diagnosed (via MRI) with bulging discs in the L3 to L5s1. I have been in physio since December of 2008 and just began Aquatherapy. I am on celebrex and nortriplyne on advise of the Doctors at the Pain Clinic. First Nerve block September, 2009. I am experiencing lhermitte's sign as well as weakness in the in the legs to the foot and siacta in the right leg.

I also experience when the low back pain is bad, twitching and shock like feelings in my arms and hands.

I am off work, walking daily and physio and nothing seems to be helping.

Wonder what this new arm pain thing is.. Any idears?

Mouse — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:42:30 -0700

All my doc said was that the deep burn was nerve pain and we'd wait and see what it did. Well it ain't doing nothing but driving me nuts. It is in my elbow joint, and down my arm to my wrist and my skin hurts to touch it. I can't even have a shirt touch my skin - it's the wierdest thing. I can't lift with that arm, not because of strength but if I use my fingers very much, it starts really burning up my arm. What the heck is going on I wonder.

New to site and could really use some help

Laur en Pain — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 02:35:15 -0700

Hi everyone, I am new to the site and hoping for some advice and support. I am a 27 year old female with 2 surgeries under my belt and a lot of pain is all I have to show for it. I had a laminectomy for a herniated disc at L5-S1 in 2006 after trying PT, spinal injections and a couple other things. At that point, I did not have back pain but had terrible sciatic pain in my right leg which was the side of the herniation. After the laminectomy, I started having really bad low back pain mainly on the left side which I thought was weird bc the surgery was on the right.

Update...sorry!

Lexigirl — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:41:54 -0700

I'm sorry I haveen't been on lately. Sitting at my computer was sending my pain levels through the roof and I just couldn't sit long enough to reply. But..

I got a laptop--yay!--which enables me to use my computer anywhere, which is great. Much better. Still adjusting to it, but I have a feeling it's going to a relief. I'm a writer, and wasn't able to get anything done without hurting. Hopefully I can get some work done now.

Don't ever let a doctor prevent you from getting proper treatment

Faith M — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:20:47 -0700

It's one thing after another! Now I need a MRI on my right shoulder. I've had a very painful shoulder for a year and kept getting the runaround from doctors. Four months post op from cervical fusion my surgeon said my pain was from the next disc up because I was fused. I found it unbelievable that I herniated the disc while recovering. So I gave it more time. Then I saw a rheumy that said my pain wasn't from any medical issues and to go to a $250 seminar an hour away. What a joke. Then I saw my primary who ordered a x- ray and sent me to a Orthopedist.

Severe hair loss

AlwaysAchin — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 17:58:22 -0700

Has anyone else experinced severe hairloss? I mean it is starting to look like I am on Chemo here. My hair brush is full after just one stroke through my hair. The shower is full, my bath towel is full, even the clothes I wear are full of my hair that is falling out by the hands full.

With No Legs Kid whips Football

Disabled American Veteran — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 14:42:54 -0700

Just when you think your pain is too much for you. Stop and read wonderful stories like this one. The kid with no legs plays tackle football. He doesn't talk about having pain but I have emailed him asking him about any pain issue's that he may have. It's just the thought that he could over come something like this in his life to "Keep Living" It's a great story for all of us to look upon when we are feeling that we can't keep going on.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/32926023#32915231

Michael

I never thought I'd be happy to have my normal pain back

j.howie — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 13:07:13 -0700

On a recent trip. I was hiking and slipped on a rock going down a hill. And I guess using all of my body to hold myself up so I didn't fall on my butt. I inflamed something and produced a new pain sensation that I haven't experienced before. A pinched nerve, I think. That was on the 2 day of my Sedona trip. It was painful but not drastic. But on the next to the last day I did the same thing but I slipped into a squirrel hole also. That caused a very painful "twinge" and a knife stab in my lower back that put a pretty good damper on the trip and for several days after.

Another new pain

kyapup — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 06:50:24 -0700

Hi everyone!

is there anyone in the Manchester area with back problems {uk}

straker — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 14:33:38 -0700

i like to talk to everyone on here but it would be nice for me to know about any people suffering with back problems in my area so if you live in rochdale/whitefield /bury/manchester please get in touch if fact 50 miles from manchester is close enough
STRAKER

I fell last week, now in more pain-need ideas

MaggieP — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 00:48:15 -0700

A week ago, on Sept 9th, I woke up about 4:00am, needing to use the bathroom. I have a 3 1/2lb chihuahua, so to keep her corraled while I'm at work, I have a pet gate. Well, when I got up, sleepy and dopy (2 out of the 7 dwarfs ) I forgot the gate was there. I fell very hard on my tile floor, on my right hip. By the time I got off work the next night, I couldn't raise my right leg enough to step up on the curb. After looking here, mayo clinic website, and talking to health decision coach, I spent the next 4 hrs at the ER getting X-rays of my pelvis & hip.

Do You Think I am Barking Up A Dead Tree? - Edema ?

Beth1187 — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 20:31:42 -0700

I am on Fentanyl patch - 75 mg every 3 days. Today was the day I put on my 8th patch. So I am still pretty new to all of this.

At first my feet swelled really really big and I made a thread about it and upon the advice I got here I went to the ER. There is no blood clots or anything serious. They ran blood work, doppler and the works on me.

Speed up to date.
After seeing 2 Drs and my PT now they think the F patch IS the cause behind the edema

Refill for med's will be late, need help & info?

cateyes — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:48:30 -0700

I was afraid this would happen and it did. I'm out of state right now to be with my husband while he's working out of town. To be able to set this up my PM doctor said that I could have a family member pick up my presciption, have it filled,, then send it to me. Well that sounded just fine, finally I could be with my husband.

Do you think the Change of Seasons is causing increased pain levels?

deltalady — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 04:56:28 -0700

Happy Friday everyone -- yeah, sure, I bet a bunch of you are saying right now!

It seems like I've seen a trend this week on the posts for some spikes in pain levels for a lot of people. Lots of misery going around this week. I had to break out my BT pain meds yesterday for the first time in months. My sciatica flared up out of nowhere, my biopsied foot throbbed and my head's clogged up from the ragweed -- YEAH FOR FALL! On the upside, for us football lovers, at least we have something to watch while we lay around in misery.

Why is it

smiley735 — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 18:30:16 -0700

that the flare-ups seem so debilitating, when the pain isn't anywhere close to being as bad as the pain I was in prior to surgery? I mean, before, I couldn't be upright without my neck, shoulders, arm and hand screaming at me, and even laying down, the pain made me writhe. There was no relief, not even hydromorphone touched the pain, didn't even take the edge off. Now, I'm back to work, although by the end of the day, I'm done, so tired, and my neck and shoulders are yelling at me. But I start the day out at my baseline pain, as someone else put it in another thread.

WooooHoooo for once its not bad news

jlrfrye — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:27:46 -0700

After a very long and anxious week sitting by the phone and waiting on test results I received good news. The tumor at L4 is benign and the disc infection that showed up on MRI doesnt show up with blood test. So doc says I am good to go or as good as I will ever get.LOL. As far as the tumor he will monitor it to make sure it is not growing but does not think it will give me any problems. Now if I could just get my pain under control......it has been a rough week. I dont know if it is from the weather changing or what but wow what a painful week.

Chronic Back Pain - Annular Tears L4/L5

TheRealMcCoy — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:20:07 -0700

I have had increasing pain past 3 years L4/L5. Tests show annular tear with Mild degenerative disc disease. I have gone through Facet Joint injections, epidurals, PT, Acupuncture, Chiro, etc. with no help. Question is has anyone simply gotten better without back surgery (meaning I have gone 3 years and still bad should I still wait it out)? Thank you in advance for sharing anything that helps.

Symptoms Rapidly Increasing

lisa burek — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:34:31 -0700

Over the last few weeks my symptoms have been worsening, as well as new ones cropping up. I'm trying not to be upset but its hard.

More and more I am just on my couch or recliner and doing minor things hurts like heck. Now I am having spasms in my butt, some where I can't move for a few minutes. Walking lately gives me pain down to my knees and driving is causing hideous pain after 5-10 minutes.
Its just a bit unsettling how fast these new symptoms have come on.

Nerve roots, Scar Tissue, I have questions?

cateyes — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:58:24 -0700

Hi Everyone,
I could really use some info about scar tissue and nerve roots. That's one of my problems. I've had extensive scar tissue impinging several nerve roots (that was the last count 8 years ago, no telling how much I have now) and need info about what can be done about it.
Here are the options that I know about:

(1) surgery to remove scar tissue (which will come back again)
(2) Having the nerves cut or burned to ease the pain.
(3) PT to loosen and help break up scar tissue. (It's my understanding that this works best when started early, not over 8 years layer)

back pain

justpeachie37 — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:10:27 -0700

i have scoliossis,athiritis,nerve damage,4 bulging disk and im trying to get help with social security they turned me down the first time and now im waiting for the 2nd decision has anyone with these problems got help with social security?

Arachnoiditis

TLee814 — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:59:38 -0700

Hi,

Medication safety and international travel?

owwie — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 04:02:50 -0700

First a Hello to you all. I am a newbie here, but no stranger to pain. While I hate that we all have to be here, I am glad to have stumbled onto this site while researching my treatments!

Is AnyOne Here Pain Free?

Beth1187 — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 23:35:33 -0700

I recently started the Fentayl patch ( 75 mg ) and at first I was really disappointed as I was still in a lot of pain. Then after the 2ed patch I seen a huge difference and the 3rd patch I was flying high! NO not that type of high. For the first time in years I felt like I had a decent chance at a life again.

Now I am 7th patch in and not quite so high. Pain is returning

I know I have options of a higher or more often patch change - new meds etc etc.

BUT what I am starting to ask myself and now all of you. Are any of "us" - those with chronic pain ever pain free???

side effects of oxycotton

terihay — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:08:18 -0700

Has anybody had any side effects from oxycotton, I sweem to have hot flases and sweet. Is there any thing I can do to conteract this side effect. I take 40mpg of oxy every 12 hrs

Having a Bad Pain Day

AlwaysAchin — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:04:42 -0700

I am having a seriously bad pain filled day. My lower back feels like someone kicked me with steeled toed boots, and just pounded away on it. Also neck pain and severe headache. Just one of those days you want to crawl under a rock and let everything pass you by.

I go next week for the consultation with PM doctor for the SCS. I know that others have said that it really helps with leg pain, but does it help at all for the lower back? I have severe pain in both areas and truly want to find a way to overcome both areas of pain.

Hope others are having less pain today than I am.

Kathy

mri

terror8396 — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:06:35 -0700

just got my mri result and it says i have mild stenosis.i asked my dr if there were issues with discs and he said no. i said great, well i went home and read the copy of my mri report and my stenosis is due to disc herniation in l3 just above my last fusion
what? no problem with disc
time to see a new dr this was a new one becuse my old one retired. back to the drawing board
jon

Anyone every had a percutanious dystectomy?

Mouse — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 06:12:13 -0700

It made me think of it after reading mckGenetics post about being a guinea pig. I wonder if they still even do that. After my riding injury, my doc nursed me along on pain meds for about 2 months so that I could continue jumping. Yeah, in hindsite, it probably wasn't a smart move with 2 ruptured discs leaking into my spinal canal, but it was me mostly - I begged, pleaded and borrowed, so he said o.k.

Anyone had any luck with home TENS?

Lexigirl — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 11:25:38 -0700

I have a unit, and have used it some, but it doesn't seem to do much of anything to relieve my pain. Anyone had a good experience with a home unit? I might give it a try again if others have had success.

at what point did you realise that your illness was so bad?

straker — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 07:31:18 -0700

my doctor asked me this one the other day ..what i tend to do when i visit him is write down how i am feeling and if there has been any changes since i last visited him .i said about 3 years ago .then asked why? he showed me a my 2 previous letter to him from me and i was shocked !! in 6 months i have gone from being able to swim 3 times a week /clean the car.

Sound familiar to you?

MckGenetics — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 21:30:22 -0700

Hello, I am 24 years old and I have scoliosis. I had surgery in 2003 fusion with Herrington Rods T1-L2, post operative pain ever since. Now I have arthritis in the parts that aren't fused, and possible sciatica with pain in my legs and feet. My legs and feet feel like they are on fire after only 15 minutes of standing or walking. I'm priviliged enough that I can sit up to 30 mins without adjusting my posture. My feet feel like giant blisters when I get out of bed in the morning. It hurts to sit up straight or to slouch. To sum it up, it basically hurts to live a normal life.

Please help with chronic pain I thank you for this

chronic pain I need support — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 09:01:08 -0700

Hello everyone I would like to post how I am feeling. Pain, well is like a shattered mirror… just try and put the pieces back together. Impossible! I am usually a pleasant kind person, but at this point have broken down. Reaching out for help? Oh you bet I am. I think I may have finally snapped. Yes SNAPPED. I cleared off a whole table in a matter of seconds all the little decorations on it broken. Yep all broken. Where do we put broken things? Ya you guessed it the garbage. Not only do broken things go in the garbage but also things that do not work or aren’t functioning properly.

Do the Doctors really understand??????

BrokeJoke — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 08:05:38 -0700

Hey everyone.. Would very much appreciate anyone's input.. I am a disabled Vet from the Navy. I never went over seas, But did occur my injuries in the time of war. Let me start off by sayin I'm the type of person that is very blunt and I will NOT let anyone get one over on me. I am very respectful but have had a wrong attitude towards how I feel I am being treated here at the New Orleans VA Hospital. I have been going here for bout 2 years. I have Chronic back pain in my lower back. I had a MRI taken last year and 1 month ago.

Need help with 2nd opinon

saxygirl1983 — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 21:10:07 -0700

Although i will only be in wichita falls, tx for a few more months i would like to know if there is anyone in this area that knows of a good Pain Managment specialist or any other specialist that is a good listener about all problem concerning my pain and isn't going to give up after a few negative tests.

But more importantly i will need the same in San Antonio, TX when i move back down there as soon as my husband gets out of the army. If you would PM me and give me some hints on where to go to get great care i would be forever grateful.

Sincerley,
Jessica Headley

Anyone know equivalent of oxycontin and kadian/ avinza?

sophora101 — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 16:19:46 -0700

Hi Everyone,

This is my first post- i'm so scared bc somehow i'm out of oxycontin that i've been taking for incapacitatingly bad chronic pelvic pain before i can see my dr. i'm taking 80mg 3 x a day for a few years now, since surgery that wasn't successful. i'm terrified to think about having withdrawal sx and even more about being in the pain
Sorry to start here as a new person when so desperate.

Back from Sedona trip

j.howie — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 13:17:14 -0700

Well, I made it back from my trip. And it was beautiful! But not without mishaps. The second day I slipped on a rock while hiking and It was a down hill forward slip. I caught myself and didn't fall. Not to much damage done. a slight twinge and increased pain. But I was having such a good time, I wasn't about to even think about it. As a mater of fact I've found that when your mind is on something you enjoy, you tend not to feel your normal pain. And in this case, a little more.

What drug do you use for break throughs?

Beth1187 — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 08:38:52 -0700

I am on Fentanyl 75 mg and after the drug got into my system, I was like WOW! It removed some much of my pain. Now only into my 6th patch change, it is not doing quite as well. I am blessed with having a Dr. who does not believe in a person being in pain. He also is very open to me researching ideas and then him & I talking about options at my appt.

SO with an appt coming up next week. I am asking for what people who are on the F patch use for break throughs, so I can start to research ideas.

Thanks

In need of advice and understanding please!

saxygirl1983 — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:21:45 -0700

My name is Jessica. I am 26 yrs old, married and have 2 daughters on 3 1/2 and the other 9 months. I have had back pain since i was about 9 off and on only coming every once in a while and it could have been a month or a year before another episode hit. I started dancing at gentleman's clubs when i was 20 and the pain started coming more often but i always believe it was because i was working muscles i didnt normally and some of the stage tricks arent easy on your body.

Don't want to take drugs

watchyurback — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 21:56:06 -0700

Help!

My son Zach - Trigeminal Neuralgia and Neurontin

TTLC — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:28:38 -0700

Hi everyone,

I looked through the forums and couldn't decide where to post this, so I decided this would be the best forum... as this is a chronic pain condition.

My 15 year old son, Zach, was just diagnosed today with Trigeminal Neuralgia. Zach has been prescribed Neurontin to take twice a day, starting with the first dose tonight.

Will it ever end?

jlrfrye — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:14:14 -0700

Today I was suppose to get a injection from PM but when I got there he came into the room with the results from my MRI and canceled the procedure.MY Mri suggest bone infection along with a tumor at L-4. Annular tear at L-5. Moderate disc bulge at L4-5. His office is at the hospital so I was sent for blood work -up and biopsy. There is granulated tissue and scar surrounding thecal sac and compressing s-1 nerve root. I am at the end of my rope. I dont think I can take much more.

Newbie...

Lexigirl — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:52:06 -0700

I am new to this forum, and have spent a few days looking around. This looks like just what I need right now; I'm really struggling with my chronic back pain. I can't do the things I want and need to do, like housework, physical activities with my family, and my job (I'm a writer, and sitting at the computer for long makes me hurt), and If I overdo (which doesn't take much), I end up hurting even more for days. I am so tired of this!

tempur cushions

kaifmahmood — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:16:16 -0700

Duplicate post removed by moderator paulgla. Please read the forum policies regarding duplicate postings.

I need advice

iowarobin — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:20:51 -0700

I had my hardware out last Friday, PLIF, 2 levels, same as last time with fusion, only reverse.
I still have steri strips on my incision and it still has scabs on it. But it is itching and driving me crazy. Does anyone know what I can put on this that will not be harmful to the incision this early in healing. Really is driving me nuts and I dont want to itch it and cause problems...

Pain Pumps

AlwaysAchin — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:18:12 -0700

Does anyone here use a Pain Pump? If so how well do they work. and what meds are used in them? I know that if I don't have the SCS the PM doctor is going to offer this to me as an option, however, with me not being able to tolerate Morphine or Demerol would I stll be considered a canidate for a pump?

Thanks
Kathy

Nerve pain after surgery on L4/L5 & L5/S1

alyn93 — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 06:49:15 -0700

I recently had the hybrid surgery with fusion at L5/S1 and disc replacement at L4/L5. About 5 weeks after surgery, developed a terrible pain in my right buttock & thigh whenever I lie down. The pain gets worse & worse and now effects me almost 24 hours a day. When I lie down I have a very hard time getting up, a lot of the time relying on my husband to pull me up through the pain out of bed. In the beginning the pain would go away with walking but now it persists. I have had an MRI & a CT scan.

Just back from ER

MaggieP — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 05:04:51 -0700

It must be the moon phase or something! I have a 24" high gate to keep my furkid in my bathroom area. On Wed night I got up to use the bathroom, and in my drug induced haze fell over it, hitting my hip. Today it hurt a lot, and by the time I got home from work tonight couldn't raise my right leg high enough to step up on the curb. I had to stand on the sock on my right foot, then step back, to get my socks off. After looking for info here, at Mayo Clinic website, and calling the Decision Power person from my health insurance, I ended up in the ER.

DFW Area - Anyone satisfied with thier PM DR?

BadThunder — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 23:16:40 -0700

I am looking for a new DR for PM. Current PCP is being sued therefore unable to get all my meds required. He has sent me for a consult to a PM DR, but has no idea what to expect. SO IF ANYONE COULD SEND ME AN EMAIL OR PM I sure would appreciate your input good or bad.

Thank you very much everyone !
BT

Flexeril

backman01 — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 18:21:38 -0700

Hello,
I quit taking lyrica it did nothing,pm said try flexeril 10mg,1 at bed 1 morning i have only been on them for 3 days they are making me mean,is that possible??I just want to rip everybody head off!! Thanks Rick in ncpa

Have to go back to Pain Clinic

AlwaysAchin — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:10:41 -0700

Went to see my PCP today, after going over the MRI results I was told that I have to go back to the Pain Clinic and have the SCS done. That really isn't what I wanted to hear!

I have a terrible feeling about this SCS. I have never done well with a TENS and am worried that this will not work either. I have agreed to go and give it a honest try. I like the doctor at the clinic and I trust him. He told me he was running out of options with me and the SCS is one of my last hopes. And if it doesn't work what then?

Chat Mishap

lisa burek — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:51:22 -0700

To Bubblegum and the other great people who were trying to welcome me to chatting last night: I'm sorry!! I had one computer malfunction after another (someone is eating at the keyboard, for sure, and my keys kept sticking, besides other weird stuff that was going on with my pc.)
Thank you for being such a welcoming group, one of these days I'll get the hang of it.

Does sleep help reduce chronic pain?

Centurion45 — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:28:35 -0700

Hello all - since all of us can probably relate to losing a nights sleep due to not having enough pain control, [ not ness meds, but a blend of meds and mind technics to reduce pain] -- Do you find that losing multiple nights sleep, contributes to having a bad start to the next day and then we continue to form a pattern of pain and sleepless nights that keeps going. If this becomes a serious pattern and then becomes a RUT, how do we realize that we need help and what do we do to get out of the RUT and find another path.

Seeing My Doctor Today!!

patwhite101 — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:20:19 -0700

I have been having a very rough time of it since I fell last week.
I injured my shoulder struggling to get up and am in a lot of pain. Both in my shoulder and back in my legs again.
I have had to cut out all my pain medication because it has been making my legs swell.
They swell up huge and feel just awful. Look and feel like they will burst. I can't wear my shoes either because my feet swell so bad too.
I have tried fluid pills to get the swelling down but no help at all!! I keep my legs elevated....even that does not help.

Swelling of painful area, anybody else get this?

JohnnyO — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:31:09 -0700

I have been dealing with my current damage at mostly my S1 and also my L5 nerve root since February of 08. The nerve pain is terrible, Ive had two failed surgeries so far and am going into a L4-S1 fusion sometime soon. The pain I cant stand is the nerve pain that is below the knee and mostly in my left foot. It feels like my foot is literally caught on fire and Ive been hospitalized many times since for pain control. At home I have been controlling the pain somewhat well with a ton of medication.

Opiod Induced Hyperalgesia

Vicky ODonnell — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 12:41:46 -0700

Has anyone else ever been diagnosed with Opiod Induced Hyeralgesia?

Removal of different pains

Klukva — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 10:46:15 -0700

You can read more about the removal of different pains on
EDITED

Standards agreement and posting rules
Please note that Spine-Health reserves the right to edit any messages posted or submitted or e-mailed to the Company and use them for content on the website or in other company materials. No e-mail solicitation or advertising of other companies, products, services, or web sites is permitted in the Spine-Health.com forums.
Edited by moderator JEAUX

Fentanyl patch questions??

Amanda S Yanis — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 16:43:49 -0700

I've been on the patch for a week now at 25mcg. I feel absolutely no pain at all which is so wonderful! However I feel sick almost all the time. I feel so nauseaus that I can hardly eat. I also keep getting theses spells where my back starts getting really warm, until my entire body feels like it is sunburnt, and i start to feel really sick and weak and just exhausted. It usually only lasts about an hour though then I feel fine again. Although the nausea is pretty much constant.

New Fentanyl Question Please ! Feet Swelling up BIG?!!!

Beth1187 — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 12:56:10 -0700

I have looked all over the internet and can not find this side effect from Fentanyl ( 75 mg ). However my feet are swelling up BIG time! and are hard as a brick! I have no ankles any more and feel like I have tight rubber bands around my feet/ankle areas. I am wearing my hubbys crocks as none of my shoes fit

A offline friend told me the when she was on Morphine her feet/ankles did the same thing and that Fentanyl is a type of Morphine.

I took a natural water pill this afternoon to see if that helps - so far nothing, but it's only been a few hrs.

I really don't know what to do anymore...

Mouse — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 08:30:43 -0700

This constant pain is kicking my *&#. My medication is great, till it wears off, then I hurt so bad in between doses. I have a new gig from my elbow to my wrist that just started this wierd nerve pain, and my skin hurts to touch it. I have to work 40 hours a week, I have been here for 30 years (7 to go) and it's killing me. My husband does NOT get it! If I had a place to go and take my horse, I swear to God I would get a divorce so I could take a *&#& medical like I want. The problem is, I make a good money, and on my plan I'm on, a medical would cut my income in half.

Ultram?

jlrfrye — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 02:26:30 -0700

My pain DR recently prescribed Vicodin and Ultram for pain. I was told by neurosurgeon no NSAIDS. So I am confused. I looked up Ultram on the web half of the web says it is a NSAID and the other half says it is not. Which is it? One of the drugs I was told I could not take is Toradol. Isnt Toradol the generic for Ultram? Being the holiday weekend I can not call surgeon to find out. Anyone have a clue?
Susan

Wal-Mart lost my Neurontin prescription

MaggieP — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 00:27:49 -0700

Bad Wal-Mart. Last time I saw my PCP, he gave me two new prescriptions, to replace the expired ones. So I called them and ordered them filled. When I went to pick them up on Tues, they couldn't find the one for my neurontin 300mg. 3 during day, 2 at night. I said (dumb me) no problem, I have enough left until tomorrow. They said, "No problem!) We'll just have your dr fax a new one. Fast forward until today, Sat. Having been out for two days, and in pain, I go blithly in to pick them up.........the line was 9 people long It took over a half hour standing in line to finally get them.

Another Fentanyl Patch Question Please - dizzy & other side effects

Beth1187 — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 18:43:18 -0700

I should have just made 1 thread about this new drug I am on. My apologies for asking so many ?'s.

My Thanks To All Who Have and Are Helping Me

My current ? is:

I am having dizzy spells - not like the room is spinning dizzy but like super tired out of no where and having to force myself not to nod off. The spells can last from a few minutes to 1 hr or more. There is no rhyme or reason to when they hit & how long they last.

Relief at last

jlrfrye — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 13:11:42 -0700

Today was my pain management appointment. I explained my situation and he was floored. Not only do i have meds I also have a doctor that listened. He found it unacceptable for my doctor to think that I would have no pain after 6 surgeries. He also thinks there might be more issues with my lower back.

STRAKER HAS MORE BAD NEWS!

straker — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:33:24 -0700

hi all

weather and it's effects on chronic pain

HollieSterling38 — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 06:22:42 -0700

I know humidity changes,temperture changes and weather changes and so on effect us,especially those of us with chronic pain or any pain period. But why? And what do you do about it?
I know for me I feel like I could use some WD-40 in my joints and spine with the changes! LOL .... Can anyone explain this?

Heard of or used Strain Counter-Strain Treatment?

Quiltinously — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 00:01:40 -0700

Hi all,
My GP wants me to try a unique kind of massage called Strain Counter-Strain. Has anyone used this or should I say had it done to them? All I know is that it should be a gentle pull of my muscles to help them heal, I think.

Grasping at straws to reduce pain.
Thanks,
Dee

Update on my Problem

AlwaysAchin — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 17:46:00 -0700

I have to see a new neurosurgeon and have more test done. Looks like scar tissue and nerves are jumbled together as well as having a bulging disc at the L5/S1 area. That would explain a lot of my pain as of late.

I have been hurting so long that new pain areas seem to go unnoticed or checked because I hurt 24/7. I will be more aware and let my dr know when things are flaring up in other places now.

Just when I wanted to call it quits with doctors lol. Oh well I will do whatever it takes to have a better life. Got lots to look foward too and seeing my grandbaby grow is #1.

Second Fall In a Week!!

patwhite101 — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 17:30:31 -0700

Hi Everyone.....Looong post....sorry
All of you know of my chronic pain issues in my feet and legs. Also my balance issues. You also know I am now in PT to build up my core and leg muscles. I still have a looong way to go yet.

Today I took my second fall in a week!!(nope I do not drink LOL)
A few days ago I fell and tumbled into a shallow ditch while walking behind my house. A neighbor saw me and quickly came to my aid. When I fall I can NOT raise myself up because of my weak legs and a bum knee. I am still scratched and bruised from that fall.

Pain Levels, Chronic and Acute

Centurion45 — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 07:44:11 -0700

Morning, Serious subject here.

This is REALLY hard for me, I need HELP

AlwaysAchin — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 06:48:49 -0700

For me this is the most horrible thing yet to happen, it not only scares me it is totally strips me of all dignity. I have been complaining for about severe hip pain when I wake in the mornings. Finally broke down and went to see my doctor. After the lecture of "WHY DID YOU WAIT SO LONG" (cause I am used to pain and thought it would go away), he sent me to have another MRI and warned me that I was facing more back surgery.

Almost 2 weeks and no meds

jlrfrye — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 15:36:41 -0700

Most of you know my story and how my doc stopped my meds so I will not go into it again. What I will say is OMG this has been a horrible week. I tried to make appointment with PCP and he is on vacation so I called PM and explained what is going on and I see him Friday, but heres the real reason for this post. I got to thinking is my pain really that bad or am I just afraid of the pain? I would love for the answer to be that I am afraid of the pain but it is not. This week has been a nightmare! With meds I can work, take care of my 80 year old mother and enjoy life.

Is my doctor wrong?

sunny1966 — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:45:30 -0700

Hi all. I just got home from an appointment with my PCP and I'm very disappointed. As you can read below I'm having a terrible time with lower back/buttock/tailbone/hip/leg pain. Today my doctor wants me to see a chiro because he doesn't have a clue what it is...his own words. I wonder if it could be from my sacrum/coccyx/si joints or something so I asked him if the mri I had in April would show those areas and he said yes. I have a copy of the report and it only says lumbar and that's all the report covers. I came home and called and asked for a copy of my MRI and am going to pick up the CD.

Finally Realize Life SUCKS Rocks lol

AlwaysAchin — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 08:10:46 -0700

I have finally it got into my head that life really sucks rocks for people who live in constant pain. I am tired of all the hassles of seeing doctors, having test after test, hearing there isn't much left they can do etc.... I just want a somewhat NORMAL life back.

Don't know how I will get there, but know that I am gonna find a way somehow, someway to have a near as normal life as I can. Darn all the new symptoms, pains and appointments with doctors, I wanna LIVE like I am not in PAIN anymore.

I am at the end of the rope

terihay — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 02:18:31 -0700

Names John

CT report can anyone help with explanation on report?

twhite — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:13:13 -0700

L4-5 moderate bulging disc with patent canal.
L5-S1 desiccated bulging disc and osteophyte with mild facet hypertrophu with mild foraminal narrowing toward right
C4-5 putruding disc

delta dawn

pete81241 — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:10:25 -0700

just wondering if anyone has heard from DELTA DAWN..hopefully shes in rehab doing better.....pete

4 months, feeling hopeless

Jamie Lenio — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 01:23:19 -0700

Hi everyone,

I'll think things are getting better, then they get worse. I have a herniation at L4/L5 and L5/S1. Been in PT for 4 months- no help. Got one shot- made things so much worse that I am so scared to go back and get another. Now doing 'egoscue' method- basically giving 1500 bucks on my credit card since i'm not working to a method that hasn't been proven. I feel..... like if I didn't have family that would be greatly impacted by my leaving..... like I could contemplate something serious. I can't handle everyone telling me something different:

Pete: how are you?

lisa burek — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:37:21 -0700

Hi Pete,
I saw you were on line and wanted to know how you are doing tonight: hope better than the other day. Take care,

L3-S1 fusion 18 months post-op good days / bad days

martyjo — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:04:02 -0700

Hi to all... It's been awhile since I last posted. I did not get the hardware removal as suggested by my Ortho doc. I chose to keep it in. With all the pain I had with the surgery, no way was I going thru that although I've heard it's not as bad. No way. I'm on Skelaxin 800 mg 2 a day... works great for the muscle spasms. I take Vicodin 7.5/ 500 also and that works. I've been able to go whole days without taking any pain meds. I've done some walking but found out that I just can't walk for any length of time. So, I bought a bike and my husband got one too. This is great!

Fentanyl Patch - SO SICK. Ideas Please !

Beth1187 — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 10:51:52 -0700

I have been on 75 mcg of Fentanyl since late Thursday afternoon.
It kicked in today, and I feel much better pain wise. BUT I am SO sick to my stomach. :&

I am chewing on Ginger Snaps as I type this. ANY ideas for helping to get rid of this.

I do work from home ( Thankfully ! ) But I can't do my job laying down, which is the only thing really helping right now.

Also should this be a temporary thing? Oh I sure hope so!

Thanks, Beth

The little things that regular people take for granted

j.howie — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 09:24:59 -0700

I just clipped my toe nails. And I have to laugh at myself every time I do it. Because of the way I have to "contort" my body to do it. There is a mirror across from me, and when I look over in that direction I laugh at that guy and wonder what the hell is he doing.
At this point I'm as stable as I'm going to be. So I'll get a laugh for years to come!
Good luck, Jim

Something new going on/any ideas

HollieSterling38 — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 07:22:42 -0700

On top of the normal pain and ESI being worn off, with leg pain back with vengence,now in both legs instead of just right leg.The last couple of days I've got this new thing going on and has me baffled.
I've got this numbness in my face that feels like I've had a numbing shot. It's mainly in my lips and cheeks area, more intense on left side than right,but on both and also in both hands and feet. It's numb on the inside not my skin.

Sometimes it requires a little PUSH

Disabled American Veteran — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 21:37:37 -0700

Back in the day OK way back in the day... I was a U.S. Army Ranger. I was 5' 11" and 175 pounds. I could bench press 405 pounds. I thought there was nothing on this earth that could stop me. At that time I thought there was nothing that I couldn't do. I have over 800 jumps from moving aircraft. I have 3 jumps from 27,000 to 34,000 feet.

Ugh, back pain

lisa burek — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 20:38:17 -0700

Hi Fellow Spineys,

Having a rough time right now. Low back is killing me. I am trying to relax, talk to others on this site (sometimes helping others takes your mind off of your own problem) and watching the food channel, which of course is a repeat of Bobby Flay's Throwdown. Oh well....Last night had a rough time sleeping, my hips were killing me, and neck. However, I know my issues are nothing compared to others on this site. Wish everyone some pain relief,

No meds for a week

jlrfrye — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:23:47 -0700

It will be a week tomorrow that my doc stopped my meds. The pain I am having is unacceptable. I do not know where to turn. I know my doctor will not prescribe (he believes in tough it out). He thinks because its been 2 months since surgery I should be healed. Surgeon says primary doc has to prescribe so here I sit in pain. I tried to find a new primary but so far no luck. I do not think I will be able to find a new doc that will take me on with all my problems. I am at my wits end.

SCS - Doc. Appt.

mcarr36 — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 08:31:55 -0700

I went to the appointment to discuss my recent x-rays (to see if the leads moved) and the doctor did not have them. He had a written report which was of no help. In an effort to help me with my never ending pain I am going to have an occipital nerve bolck at the end of September. I was really hoping that my new SCS would eliminate the need for blocks but that has not happened. However, I always get help from the blocks and/or nerve ablation so I am happy to have the procedure. I also started Topomax last night. I hope I do not have the weight loss side effect.

hello again...long update...

hopeless-in-mn — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 06:53:31 -0700

hey there all! I have been reading the posts, and have popped into chat a couple of times, but have been in way too much pain the past few months to really spend much time there.

Alot has happened with me in the past few months, but I still hover with no new diagnosis or clue as to why I have these symptoms, or what my outcome will be. But at least now I have a neurologist who is willing to stick with me untill we find the problem.

American Pain Foundation

marirlpn — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:07:13 -0700

Here's a link to American Pain Foundation's petition for better pain care:

EDITED
Standards agreement and posting rules
Please note that Spine-Health reserves the right to edit any messages posted or submitted or e-mailed to the Company and use them for content on the website or in other company materials. No e-mail solicitation or advertising of other companies, products, services, or web sites is permitted in the Spine-Health.com forums.
Edited by moderator JEAUX

Best wishes to you all,

Marianne

Fentanyl Patch & Swimming

Beth1187 — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 11:43:04 -0700

I just got put on the Fentanyl patch ( 75 mcg ) last night. I have tons of questions.

My biggest one is about swimming.

1. How to keep it "dry" enough it won't fall off?

2. Is my PT indoor pool too hot ? It is kept a 92 to 94 degrees. * The info from the drug company says not to go in a heated pool.

3. If I wrap the patch won't it induce heat which can give me a larger//unsafe amount of the med.? I have read to wrap it in saran wrap to Tegaderm wraps - someone even posted to use DUCT tape lol - hey it might work

Took a bad fall, what about you?

cateyes — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 10:57:29 -0700

Lastnight I took a bad, bad fall head first down the last 4 stairs and landed on the hard concrete. I admit, I am a huge klutz. My mom had to come over and clean me up, feed me, (prepare my food not actually put the fork to my mouth)and then bring me some pillows so I could sleep on the sofa propped up.
This morning I'm in so much pain and so stiff I can barely walk. I also have a huge headache because of this. Just what I needed, to fall n my face and hurt myself.

Do I Need an Ergonomic Chair?

trucomfort01 — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 06:05:16 -0700

Sadly, many people each day find themselves in a position of constant sitting or slouching while in their office chairs, at home on the computer, etc. Constant sitting like this can wreak havoc on your back and be the genesis of health problems in the future. These include a cramped neck, cramped or sore back, and overall discomfort throughout the body. The body was never engineered for long term sitting in this way, and without the proper seat support, you could be damaging your back and possibly your spinal cord.

New MRI Report

MissPiggy — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 20:59:14 -0700

I understand pretty much until I get to the part of C6/C7:demonstrates "BROAD-BASED DISK OSTEOPHYTE RIDGING". Also: there is narrowing of the "VENTRAL CSF". I have looked every where to describe "broad-based disk osteophyte ridging and narrowing of "ventral CSF". I try to get a copy of the MRI reports before I go back so I have an idea of what the doctor is trying to say. I want to have questions so when I get an answer I will be able to understand that what he is talking about.

Fentanyl How Long?

Beth1187 — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:06:17 -0700

I just started the Fentanyl this evening about 5:30 PM 75 mg.

My Dr. told me today that I would notice a big difference within 1 hr.

The only thing I have "noticed" is the 7 trips to the restroom in just 2 hrs of time

I don't feel well at all. I am very cold - which is very unusual for me. I just feel like crap. I am "hoping" I picked up a bug somewhere and that this is not all from the new patch ( never been on it before ).

How long until your patch started to work for you with your pain please?

Body De-condition and the eventually Condition

dilauro — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:10:12 -0700

Over the past year, it seemed that every time I thought I was moving ahead and gaining a step, something happened to push me back and lose a step. It was starting to get discouraging, it just seemed like I was never going to get out of this mess.
I had a long discussions about this with my doctor and her explanation made alot of sense.

- I have had years and years of body de-condition because of the multiple surgeries and various setbacks and other problems.

- Because of that, I have not allowed my body to really regroup and get back to a healthy condition.

The latest in my continuing saga...

jay911 — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:53:27 -0700

So I know that everyone has their own continuing saga, I like hearing how folks are doing and reading their updates. So here's my update:

Update on my two SCS implants.

mcarr36 — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:46:10 -0700

Hi friends,

Fentanyl Patch Question - regarding heat

Beth1187 — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:43:49 -0700

I have done a lot of reading here. I am going to see my Dr. this afternnon. Often times he asks me what I want to try next.
The last time we tried Opana ER - 10 mg x2 daily and then uped it to 20 mg per every 12 hrs with Vicodan 550 for inbetween. No help !

Any ways...... so I was thinking of the Fentanyl Patch, but my biggest concern is I have a water bed. It is completely waveless and I swear by it for helping my pain. However I keep reading that the Fentanyl patch can't be worn around heat. Is this info correct?
Thanks, Beth

STRAKER has new news

straker — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:16:02 -0700

hi all my pain buddies

Question on meds

Mouse — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:56:29 -0700

My doc does want to try me on morphine time release. I'm worried about it because after surgeries, it does not work for me, never has. What if it doesn't work? She said if not, the next step up is oxy. I worry that those drugs will make me goofy, or unable to drive, or function. What do they do to you all? I take the lortab now and they don't affect me at all other than alleviate my nerve pain for about 4 hours.

Good Posture is Important For Proper Back Support

trucomfort01 — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 06:20:41 -0700

Posture and back pain have long been associated with one another as interlocking components, in relation to the health of our spine and our back. But many people really have no idea how critical posture is in correlation to our back support. Correct posture is a simple, but effective way to maintain proper back health and maintain healthy spine support. Good posture and back support are integral components critical to reducing the incidences and levels of back pain and neck pain.

Dr.s, nerve pain & Narcotics

Mouse — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:34:00 -0700

In this state it is very, very, difficult to find a doctor who will even treat chronic pain. I wondered if it is that way in other states as well? For years I had an excellent MD, he actually came to my surgery 10 years or so ago and held my hand while they put me out. He always took good care of me afterward cuz he knew I loved to be active, ride my horse, work and garden. He retired at 82, and passed away shortly afterward. I then had no choice but to see another MD, because Pain Mgmt docs were unheard of around here.

should i or not or do i stay or do i go?

terror8396 — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 06:57:18 -0700

due to my well reported walking problems, i saw new ortho yesterday and he ordered a mri. i have had increasing pain and walking problems since my last fusion a year and 1/2 ago. i was subtly forced to go to a conference for a week 2 months after fusion and me thinks this is the crux of my pain, going back to work too early. i was subtly told my job depended on attending eventhough i told the powers to be that i just had back surgery and they did not seem to care.

Muscle spasms

HollieSterling38 — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 06:06:14 -0700

Just a thought .......
This is something I was told by both nerosureon and pcp.....
That muscle spasm are a way your body reacts to something being wrong and they spasm to protect the the problem going on.
Has anyone else been told this?

In the words of Roseanne, Rossana Dana -- It's always something!

deltalady — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 04:36:18 -0700

Yes, it is always something! I got the results back from the MRI of my left foot. My primary care doc called me yesterday to say I needed to go back to my podiatrist and have him clean out the mess in my foot.

Neurostimulator/Still in Pain

SoGaGirl — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:58:56 -0700

Neuro implanted 4 months ago after 3 failed back surgeries. I've been on and am still on Oxycodone, cymbalta, plus several seizure meds because of epilepsy. I have TLIF fusion L4,5,L5,S-1 with instrumentation, XLIF fusion of same, bone removal of hip, Neurostim trial, with implant,now have scar tissue wrapped around rods which now needs to be scraped and removed.

Easy Walk Harness for Dogs

lisa burek — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:35:47 -0700

A while back someone asked about walking dogs that pull. my 20 pound Basenji may be small but she is solid muscle and incredibly strong. Just about everytime I walked her she pulled and my back would ache (those darn birds and bunnies!).
Anyway, I found a harness specifically made to inhibit pulling and it works great!

CHRONIC BACK PAIN

HILARY — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 12:04:21 -0700

HI MY NAME IS HILARY, I HAVE HAD ON GOING CHRONIC BACK PAIN FOR FIVE AND A HALF YEARS, WAS REFERRED VIA MY DOCTOR, TO A CHRONIC PAIN CLINIC, FIRST OF ALL THEY TRIED AN EPIDURAL, WITH NO PAIN RELEIVE AT ALL, THEN WENT FOR AN MRI SCAN, WHICH SHOWED MY DISCS WERE MISSING AND BACK STARTING TO CRUMBLE, THEY THEN TOOK ME ON DAY PROCEDURE AND DID FACET JOINT INJECTIONS, WHICH ISNT PLEASANT, TO HAVE DONE, BUT WHEN YOU HAVE THIS AMOUNT OF PAIN IN LIFE, YOU LET THE CONSULTANT DO WHATEVER HE THINKS MIGHT HELP, GOT A FEW WEEKS OUT OF THIS WITHOUT MUCH PAIN, THEN BACK TO SQUARE ONE, THEN WAS TOLD MY BA

26 years old, chronic neck/back pain, had MRI done

Apollo11 — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 22:16:24 -0700

I’m new to the forum here but not new to chronic neck and back pain. I have been experiencing back and neck pain located primarily on the right side of my body since I was 19 years old. I’m 26 now and since coming off of strong narcotic pain medication one year ago I’ve been in a state of consistent misery and even began experiencing numbing and tingling in the extremities in this time.

My massage was great!

MaggieP — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 21:54:21 -0700

The masseuse said my neck and back was riddled with knots. She worked on them very lightly and slowly, and gradually increased the pressure a little. When she moved to the mid and lower back, clear across my pelvic area was on fire. I hadn't even realized it was hurting. And pressure on the gluts was like stabbing with a spike. The calves were tight too. But at the end of an hour, I felt looser. I'm now drinking lots of water. She did comment on how tight all of my muscles were. Recommended at least once a month if possible. I am really curious as to how or if I will be sore in the am.

Its so hard or is it?

dilauro — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 19:47:57 -0700

I've been reading Spine-Health posts for over 3 years now and have read just about every situation that there is.
The one thing that I have always found disturbing is posts from members that say that they Cant take it anymore or This is the end of my life

There is no doubt that chronic pain can take its toll and at times makes you feel depressed. But looking at everything, we still have so much more of ourselves. We still have our minds, we can still see, feel, smell and touch.
So many people feel that their problem is so bad that they have no hope and its the end.

What ifs????

HollieSterling38 — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 13:50:24 -0700

Hello again to all!
Like in my previous thread I stated how my scs was causing me more pain and stiffness than before... Well(deep subject) LOL .... What if it's more of an underlying condition that the scs is just really aggrivating?
I have been reading and searching for answers for the pain and stiffness like ddd and spurs and others(can't recall all specifically) that are making question other causes that could be the culprit of all this.

Celebrex

Lyndas — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 21:13:02 -0700

Has anyone tried this med with success? I have DDD with nerve pain down both legs. Cant walk or stand much,, I also have osteoarthritis. YUK! Tried Lyrica, got to much swelling in ankles. I wish I could lay flat in bed. Sleeping couple hours on side only is best I can do. Any input would be appreciated. Trying also to do some core building exercises also.

Now my leg is giving out...

hmblpi — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 19:38:22 -0700

Arghhh...I have pretty severe nerve scarring after a failed fusion (PLIF L4/5 2007). The pain in my legs and feet is getting worse and is very different than it used to be. Stanford Pain Clinic has a year long plan to treat me beginning with a caudal epidural, major increase in Neurontin, and other medications if that does not help, sessions with a pain psychologist, possible SCS.
This past week my left knee has given out 5 times. I walk over a mile a day (thanks to my adorable dog Sammy) and do stretching everyday, focusing on hamstrings and hips.

Narcotics and Nerve Pain

dave — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 14:36:50 -0700

Meydey, you almost got it right in regards to narcotics and nerve pain. I definitely have to differ with anyone saying that narcotics do not help nerve pain. As it stands right now, its the only drug I have left that provides any relief. It's not 100%, but beggars can't be choosy.

As for those of you that say narcotics don't help, why do you continue to take them? I really want to know the answer to this question. I have heard so many people come on here and say that narcotics do not touch their nerve pain and yet they still take them.

Dave

meydey321 wrote:

BACKPAIN RESEARCH I CAME ACROSS

vivavegas — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 04:38:07 -0700

Hi, I wasnt sure where to put this....but decided on here!

Strain Counter-Strain muscle treatment, heard of it?

Quiltinously — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 00:24:13 -0700

Hi all,

My doctor has suggests many different things for me to try to reduce the pain I live with daily. He wants me to try a type of massage called, Strain Counter-Strain. The gal who will work on me in the near future describes the treatment as very gentle and not like deep tissue.
Have any of you been through this? I used to say that I've tried everything except acupuncture, but then I did that too (it did not help). I am up for trying new things if they make sense. I am trying to learn more about this.
Thanks,
Dee

I seem to be in more pain when I am menstrating

pain-in-the-neck — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 16:59:46 -0700

is it just me or is the pain in my neck more severe when I have my period? It makes sense that maybe I WOULD be more prone to pain during that week, but I have never seen anything medically to support my belief - is this just in my head?

please help

backpainishell — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 01:24:47 -0700

Can someone tell me why i have so much pain when i walk? Its getting worse , My fiance dont help and he dont understand the pain im in , he expects me to carry on as normal , im at my witts end

Angie

boatramp physical therapy

pete81241 — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:06:14 -0700

every year i find walking more difficult. i live near lots of ponds and also the ocean. last year i could walk with crutches across the beach and into the water. this year no such luck. hence i have come up with boatramp therapy. you drive your car as close to public boatramp as possible. with crutches you walk into water and have some fun either walking or swimming. a short walk back to car and youre off to another boat ramp. today i hit 3 ramps in about 3 hours. i met plenty of people and had a variety of exercise. this variety seemed to reduce my pain level.

White Spots

Hopkins — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:17:04 -0700

My wife have 12 white spots on her brain and leeking fluids from the brain and haveing bad headachs? And she have RSD

Lower leg pain for 6+ year and no one could tell me what is wrong with me...HELP!!!

jennlsl — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 10:14:48 -0700

walking problems

terror8396 — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 07:10:17 -0700

i've written about this problem on numerous occasions. i've had 4 back surgeries and have had pain for approximately 10 years. my ortho dr retired and he was going to do an injection. i have a new one now and i will see him next week. anyway. my pain and inability to walk gets worse by the month. i still have pain in back-mid level and pain that goes from butt to mid leg on right side. at night the pain is worse,, and my leg gets numb. sometimes it is numb just in my foot and sometimes it is down my whole leg. just walking is a chore. i can walk about 100 ft then have to rest.

sitting pain

kdavis — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:26:53 -0700

I have severe pain sitting in my lower back, and been to many different doctors. I have been diagnose with moderate DDD L3-L5, but have read and been told most men my age(45) have DDD so how do I know this is my problem. MRI showed the DDD.

Have also had a EMG and was said I have nerve damage. But do not know what caused my nerve damage.

I just had a myelogram, will get results next week.

Have any of you out there have similar problem?

paim worse after ESI

KENTUCKYGIRL65 — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 07:40:13 -0700

Hi everyone , I had my esi done last Thursday and was so happy Friday, Sat my pain was almost gone anyhow it was where I could stand it. Sunday it started back really bad and even worse in my lower back.. I am so tired today I feel as though I can not hold my head up, and trying to work is just killing me all I want to do is lay down and sleep..I think maybe some of that is just I wear myself out at night not getting any rest..Has anyone had worsening of symptoms after a esi?

Hello..

Mouse — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 07:09:18 -0700

I wanted to introduce myself and meet some people who deal with what I do daily. Actually my friend found this site because she knows it is hard to talk to anyone about chronic pain. I don't think they have a clue what it's like. I had spinal fusion about 10 years ago, had all the hardware removed because my body started rejecting it, about a year later. It was great for a couple years, then the pain started all over. I have had numerous MRI's and seen numerous doctors and the problem is that everywhere that is fused is caked with arthritis now that gets worse every year.

Is anyone on Valium for chronic pain?

cateyes — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 04:39:42 -0700

I've read elsewhere that Valium is good to use in tandem with pain killers to help with the pain. I haven't tried it and have no idea how many people are actually on it. Does anyone have or know of any experience with this particular drug? I've read that Valium was originally formulated and prescribed for back pain and I'm wondering if it would be of any help, my pain is still not under control even with Oxycontin. Any and all input would be appreciated. Thanks ahead of time.

What to do next

tomvason — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:42:38 -0700

I'm new to this forum and hope I can get some direction here.

About six years ago I started suffering chronic pain. It feels like I have the flu all the time. Muscles, joints, ache, back, neck. etc. Some days are worse than others.

When I was first looked at by a doctor at the Grady Clinic in Atlanta (where I lived at the time), I was told they thought I was in the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis, a couple of years later another doctor told me I had fybromalgia, and then most recently another I had "Chronic fatigue syndrome."

side effects

g burrer — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:02:54 -0700

Hi everyone, I was hoping I could get some feedback. I have been taking Oxycontin now for about 2 years. I take 60 mg. 3 times a day for chronic pain. I am having erection problems and peeing problems. I can't seem to achieve a full erection and it is taking longer to urinate and alot of stopping and starting. I don't have to go all the time and I don't wake up in the middle of the night. It is just when I go I am always stopping and starting. My erections are not near the quality they used to be and I can't hold them nearly as long.

Getting Better

patwhite101 — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:04:32 -0700

I have just read Jirfrye(Susan) post on how she is having a wonderful day. I am so very, very happy for her.

I also have some wonderful news to report and I just have to share it with everyone. I am also afraid I may speaking to soon and tomorrow my world will come crashing down again.

I am at long last actually getting better!! The pain in my feet is slowly fading away and the pinched nerve in my right thigh is gone!! As of 3 nights ago I have been able to sleep without elevating my legs to stop the burning/stabbing pain in my right thigh!! My thigh feel normal again!!

L5 S1 protrusion and sciatica

kaifmahmood — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 12:22:23 -0700

Hi everyone,

I have been struggling with a disc protrusion for about a year and a half. I would be really happy to read any information, advice or personal experiences that others talk about.

In early 2008, I came down with severe lower back pain in the area under the trouser belt. I only applied heat to it for a few months and did not see a doctor for it because I was home bound with another illness.

I fee like a million dollars today!!!!

jlrfrye — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 08:47:51 -0700

What a day I am having!!!! I feel as if there has never been anything wrong me. Oh how I hope this last! I am praying for everyone here today to have a day as good as mine.
Susan

Apology

HollieSterling38 — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 07:16:11 -0700

Just want to take a moment and apologize for the way my forum fell apart.
And for being taken and taken comments the wrong way.
I am really glad to find this place and people like me.
I want to b a part of this place and inform people to really listen, take notes,
and research hard before they have an scs.
I did not have that oppurtunity before I did.
Read all the PROS and CONS!!!!
Don't be afraid to to ask as many questions as u can.
There are many people here with both sides.

Again my apologies to all!!!!!

Family doctor refusing to renew vicodin - AND I'm facing possible surgery

mid-way_tilt — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:26:45 -0700

Is it me, or does this doctor's office seem a bit odd in the communication department?

The spinal surgeon I have seen four times for chronic lumbar back pain due to 4 herniated disks, L3 spondylolisthesis, and numbness in my right foot referred me to a pain clinic. The pain clinic doctor is doing a 4th lumbar epidural steroid injection this Wednesday. During pre-op testing for this upcoming procedure last week, the Doc who interviewed me told me "you need surgery" and the epidural was being done because insurance won't pay for spinal surgery without one last epidural.

Where is the pain worse?

sunny1966 — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:21:39 -0700

I know that I've asked a lot of questions in the past several months and I'm glad that you all bear with me. I've been trying so hard to pinpoint my pain. Not the neck issues, I know where they are. It's my lower back/hips/buttocks/tailbone/leg pain that I'm trying to find the root of. MRI only showed tarlov cysts in sacral spinal canal. I've only had this pain since I had the ct myelogram in January to diagnose my cervical issues. My lower back had never bothered me other than the normal lumbar/muscle pain from overwork and stuff like that.

Acceptance

lisa burek — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 07:53:34 -0700

How are all of you accepting (or not) the changes we need to make to live a more "spine friendly" life? I am in the process of acceptance; it was hard getting to this point, but I know it is what I have to do. The toughest part is dealing with the wants of my 4 and 7 year old daughters. I also think that I am accepting my limitation better than my husband. When I mentioned total revamping of my gardens so I can better tend to them, his initial reaction was that I was being too careful and taking things too seriously.

ALIF L5 S1 w/bmp no cage

john48 — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 07:04:55 -0700

I had l5 s1 alif surgery w/bmp still one year later still can not sit or walk for long. Sitting 1/2 hour is my limit or walking 1/2 hour is my limit. I've been in P.T for 7 months now at 3 times a week. Driving is diffcult and forget any activity is out of the question.Also have rifgth leg weakness and pain in both hips. when the pain gets unbearable my legs have a hard time keeping me up. when i tell this to the doctor he thinks i am nuts.

Could this be withdrawl?

jlrfrye — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 03:16:17 -0700

I have been taking vicodin for almost 2 years for pain daily.
The vicodin were no longer working so my doctor switched me to percocet. After the third day of medication switch I began having severe stomach cramping and all over body aches. It is now day 3 of these symptoms. I have taken percocet before with no problems so I do not think it is the new meds. Could it be withdrawl or do I just have perhaps the flu?
Susan

Need Gardening Suggestions

lisa burek — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:50:37 -0700

Hi Spineys,

As I am working on accepting my current and future limitations I have come to the very sad decision that my raised bed (1 1/2 ft high) vegetable garden has to go. Planting and tending to the garden is just way too much on my back. I know I can continue to do pots, large and small, however, there is still bending and reaching involved. Have any of you gardeners had success with making modifications to your gardens? If so, what did you do? My husband is willing to do anything, he knows how much it means to me.

After surgery pain changes

Lassrynn — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 06:40:05 -0700

Hi everyone,

I just was wondering something. I had a microdisc almost 2 weeks ago. I still have some of the shooting pains down my right leg, which I expected, but my right leg has become very painful. Bone deep pain. I feel like someone has beaten my leg to a pulp with a bat. I actually had to increase pain meds to deal with it. Is this normal? I'm getting kind of worried. Pain returning but different. I wasnt expecting this. Anyone have any idea whats going on?

Why is it so hard to let go?

jj-from montreal — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 05:40:36 -0700

Each and every day I have this vision of me returning to my pre neck injury/operation/ chronic pain roller coaster ride.
Back in 1997, I slipped on ice and herniated some discs in my neck, which led to the discovery that I had sever stenos se , and DDD, and ended up with permanent damage to my spinal cord.
Pre neck problems, I had my own business, I was a so called mover and shaker. I travelled all over North America, constantly meeting people, never had enough time in the day. True I was on over drive, most of my adult life.

I thought this was supposed to help???!! :(

shaebh — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 23:40:58 -0700

I had a PLIF on 7/2/2009 of S1 thru L3... now they pain is all sporadic and weird. Shooting pain in the right bottock area, right calf pain like you would not believe and groin pain.... PLUS, the pain in my back is worse!
Though, I am FINALLY not sleeping in a recliner, but I had to buy a really expensive orthopedic mattress and now after taking the pain meds, my vision blurs out, so this is loads of fun to type...
They are also telling me that they are tapering the Lortabs already.... I cannot function without them. I am in so much pain all the time, it brings me to tears.

HOW DO YOU FILL YOUR DAY???

straker — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 21:32:28 -0700

hi everyone in back/neck pain world i was just wondering how do you past the time in the day and nighttime for all of you that like me cant sleep well?.what do you do with your time ?
STRAKER

Please Help

Sebring — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 11:16:21 -0700

I just had an EEG and EMG. I have been in pain for 4 years. My first neurologist told me I had M.S. I had a pic line in my arm so that I could give myself Solumedol everyday for 5 days.That caused a blood clot.I was put on blood thinner and had my blood checked almost every week for a year and a half.My second neurologist said he wasn't sure that I had M.S. and wanted to do a spinal tap but because of the blood thinner I couldn't do that.He said I should go to Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville because they have a neurologist there that specializes in M.S. He told me I did't have M.S.

A note to our family/friends

marirlpn — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 01:52:55 -0700

This was sent to me from a friend who also shares my problems of chronic pain. She belongs to a chronic pain group. Author is unknown.

I don't need an excuse to be stoned, I don't take pain pills to treat some psychological need to do drugs. I take what my doctor prescribes to get some level of relief so that I can do what I can, on a daily basis.

Anyone on here know about this stimulator?

John Blunt — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 23:59:35 -0700

EBI Bone Healing System® Model 2001 Growth Stimulator.

My wife has been using one of these following her surgery and I would like to know if anyone has any experiences with this Stim.

John B

ESI IS DONE GUYS

KENTUCKYGIRL65 — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:28:00 -0700

Hi everyone ESI is done!!!Thank everyone for the support , this morning i was so nervous i bet i went to the restroom a 1000 times lol, he numbed me with lidocaine and really i didnt feel much..Tonight my pain is really bad and meds arent doing much but he said that is to be expected..the doctor was really great he said my heart rate was up and my blood pressure due to being scared and that was after a 10 mg valium and loratab 10 i was still scared.everyone on here that replied back gave me the courage to go other wise i dont think i could have, cross your fingers that this brings relief!

Morphine Pump

PHS — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 10:27:34 -0700

I was wondering if any has had a morphine pump implantation for global body pain. If anyone can give me any information on that it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Recommended Office Furniture and Accessories To Manage Pain

KeepingDownLow — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 09:04:36 -0700

As a person with lower back and probable sciatica issues, I am focusing on getting my office in order. I still have to work. I work from home self-employed. It is a "desk job". But I do get up often.

What do you recommend as far as office furniture goes in order to provide the best ergonomic system to help manage your back/leg pain?

1. Do you recommend an adjustable desk, one where you can sit or stand?
2. What about a good office chair?

pete's birthday!!!!

pete81241 — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 06:37:07 -0700

todays the day. had little party last nite. just hope your day is as good as mine will be. i'm in lots of pain but hope i can hang in there for many more years...good luck to all you spiney friends......pete

My Resume

jay911 — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 03:19:45 -0700

Don't get this wrong, I'm not soliciting for a job... Like many of the other members, I have been actively trying to diagnose the source of my pain for some time now. Last week I went to see yet another neurologist at the request of my primary care doctor. Why? To get an LP as part of a MS diagnosis. When we were reviewing my file he had remarked on how I had so many procedures done, mentioning a bone density test. I've never had that done and when we told him this the response was something like this: "Huh.

Has anyone ever gotten a 2nd Opinion MRI or XRay .. and came with a different result?

KeepingDownLow — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 22:21:22 -0700

Hi,

My X-Ray showed (in addition to mild scoliosis) only mild facet degenerative at L5/S1. My MRI only showed a mild bulge at L4/L5 and mild facet hypertrophy at L5/S1 (It also said Disc desiccation noted at L4/L5 -- still not quite sure what that means).

Anyway, I was thinking of getting a second MRI just to make absolutely sure of this whole "mild" thing.

Has anyone gotten a 2nd opinion MRI or XRay? And has anyone ever come back with a different diagnosis than the first set?

If you were going to get a 2nd of something -- would you do XRay or MRI? I am thinking MRI.

Thanks!

10 years of this & losing hope-plz help-(long post; 2nd time posting it)

Eliza-G — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 21:58:43 -0700

Hello all. I am glad to finally have found this site and pray that I may find some help and compassion here. You will see on my second post part of my history in an answer to someones question about Fentanyl. I apologize if I ramble or am redundant and for my lengthy post, I can't type well or sit for long periods so I have to start and stop and everything I write so upsets me that I doubt it will flow smoothly--but I am sure you can relate, plus I get dyslexic from the fatigue at times. If you can stand to read thru it, I welcome any replies or opinions.

How soon can another ESI be done?

Jennyfoo — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 17:04:32 -0700

Hi, my name is Jenn. I'm 32, SAHM with 4 special needs kids aged 11, 7, 6, 22 months. I have ankylosing spondylitis(diagnosed this year)and had a L5, S1 discectomy last year: severe rupture with nerve root impingement. I have pretty severe nerve damage as a result of doctors delaying diagnosis and treatment.

Relief at last

jlrfrye — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:51:12 -0700

Just got back from the doctor he finally changed my meds!!!
Relief at last. I am already feeling my pain level go down and I just took it 20 minutes ago. I also talked to him about filing for disability and he will support my decision but he did ask me to think about it long and hard and if it is still what I want to do call him and he will start the paper work. I am struggling with that issue, one minute I thinks its time and the next I am saying to myself just work a few more days.
Maybe with the new meds work will be more bearable.

are there any other dwarf's in here?

4Ft-Tall-n-Broken — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:52:38 -0700

are there any other dwarf's in here? besides myself?

Just cant do it today

jlrfrye — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 04:16:26 -0700

I am at my second week back at work at a reduced schedule. I cant do it today. I have been up since 1;00 and the pain is not subsiding to an acceptable level. My meds are not working for me anymore and my docs will not change them. I am currently taking vicodin,neurotin and zanaflex. My shoulder feels like it is stuck. Oh well, two steps forward, one step back.
Susan

Thank You all

terihay — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 01:28:45 -0700

Just wanted to say God Bless you all. I can't sit for more than 10 minutes because of the pain I have from 7 back surgerys. I am waiting to see if I passed that mmpi test from the shrink. I pray to God that this works, if not I dont know what else they can do. It seems that these 60mpg of oxy are not even working. This pain is getting worse I feel afraid and I pray that the good Lord takes me home. Has anyone ever heard of a MRA test? I can almost feel the nerve in my upper right cheek, why cant they find the nerve and do something. Thanks again for being here.

ESI scared!

KENTUCKYGIRL65 — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 11:28:38 -0700

I am going for my first ESI Thursday and I am terrified, no sedation. Do they hurt?

will this pain ever end?

tinker43 — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 09:10:55 -0700

Hello all,
Nothing really new going on with me this week, but wanted to say hello and say that I hope everyone is feeling okay, or if not okay then tolerable.
I have been in a lot of pain lately. My joints hurt so much, they are so stiff, sore, and swollen. Along with my back pain and nerve pain in my leg I wonder if this pain will ever get any better. I would love to wake up one day and feel good, not have any pain.

Nerve damage after prostrate surgery

Bullrider — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 13:13:24 -0700

About a year ago I went in for radical prostrate surgery. When I woke up I have numb feet both and pain horrible in my right calf. The surgery was done robitic. The surgery was suppose to take about 4hrs. I was in surgery for 8hrs. After a year I still have numbness on the bottom of both feet. shooting pains. backpain/

L4 - L5

aaa777 — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 11:28:15 -0700

I had my L4 L5 done about 8 years ago.

The first couple of years after the surgery were relatively painless, however, as time has gone by, there has been recurring shooting pain in the right buttock, and recently the pain is also felt in the right knee.

The pain is extremely severe early in the mornings, and after prolonged periods of being seated.
It is so bad that íts now affected my career -- as I've got a desk job... and I can't seem to concentrate due to the severity of the pain.

went out last night

jlrfrye — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 05:39:41 -0700

I went out last night for the first time since New Years Eve.

AT LAST !! my new electrical recliners arrived and my laptop is now working

straker — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 07:46:41 -0700

thank you to everyone that offered there help with my laptop i had to have it professionally repaired .and to all that enquired about the sarga of the recliner .at last i now have a new one .so thanks again to all.{ron you can delete this in a few days if you wish i just wanted to say thanks to a lot of people.
STRAKER

Highest Awards Ever

flashbax78 — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:39:31 -0700

edited

Edited by moderator paulgla

Chronic Mid-Back Pain for about 12yrs now,,

troutdog — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 10:36:21 -0700

Let begin telling you about myself then my problem.
I'm 29 yrs old and have been going to a chiropractor weekly since 1997. I played football for 5yrs, I got jumped by a gang in broad daylight at the mall in 1997 and that is why I started going to a chiro Dr. I was kicked many times in the mid-spine, as well as cracked ribs, broken nose and cracked cheekbone.

Neurosurgeon #1 said I am NOT a candidate for surgery

KeepingDownLow — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:47:54 -0700

Hi,

So based on my MRI results, the neurosurgeon that my primary care doctor pointed me to said I am not yet a candidate for surgery. The nuerosugeon says that my MRI doesn't show that have any nerve roots being affected that would qualify for something like a discectomy. Here is what my MRI said, in summary:

----
There is normal alignment. Disc desiccation noted L4-5. Conus terminates normally at mid L1

L1-L2: Normal
L2-L3: Normal
L3-L4: Normal
L4-L5: Mild Bulge. No neural foraminal narrowing
L5-S1: Mild facet hypertrophy

Pain keeps getting worse (Long post)

eajoseph — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:06:23 -0700

Since my surgery in January 2009 (removal of L4-S1 discs and both levels fused) I have been experiencing a lot more pain. My feet and toes go numb, burn, and tingle on top of straight out hurting. The numbness, burning, and tingling will spread up into my ankles, and legs; it's really bad when it gets up to my hips. Originally the sensations in my feet would spread to my ankles sporadically. Over the last few months, it is pretty consistent for these sensations to go almost half way up my calves and shins. Not fun.

Newbie

utchic99 — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 10:14:49 -0700

I have suffered from chronic pain for about 4 years now. I have scoliosis and recurring costochondritis. I've visited my doctor numerous times over the last year with continued concern about these pains. My doctor keeps "ignoring" my comments and is making me jump through hoops to get medication for relief. I have an appointment at a local pain center this month, but that's still almost 3 weeks away. I asked my doctor to give me something to help until I get to the pain specialist but he keeps prescribing medications that my insurance won't cover. I don't have $170 to spend on medication!

How to Decide

kjkickem — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 08:18:24 -0700

I started looking around on this site and joined yesterday. How do you decide where to post? The are several "boards" that would be applicable to my problems/pain:
Yes, I am 2 years post surgery that did not help.
Yes, for over 3 years I have been prescribed almost every medicine out there (I think)
Yes, I have had all the "procedures" and now my new pain mgt. doc is doing them all over again.
Yes, I have seen doctors is just about every specialty:
Doctor of Orthopedics/Pain Mgt.
Anesthesiologist/Pain Mgt.
Neurology/Pain Mgt. (currently)

SPINE HEALTH is a wonderful site

straker — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 05:58:21 -0700

i just wanted to thank all the administrators and all the people that contribute to this wonderful site on a daily basis..i just wish that the doctors and others that professionals would take the time to read some of the wonderful and some times heartbreaking post that are put on here..maybe if they did they may be a bit more sympathetic to us when we need professional medical help.i think that we all know just how each other feel because we are all in the same boat ..but because most of us look {normal} sometimes we can get a rough time when we want pain killers or when neighbours see us at

I need advice

Canadianhockeymom — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 20:03:33 -0700

I have a compression fracture at the T8. I firmly believe that I have nerve damage, but I am having trouble finding the appropriate Doctor to diagnose this. Can anyone tell me what specialty I should ask for?

I really need some advice this is over four years of trying to find help on my own with dead ends.

Has anyone been helped by antidepressants for arm numbness/weakness?

kkuylen — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:41:56 -0700

Hi all, I was just recently told I am not a candidate for surgery of my two protruding c5-6 &c6-7 discs. They said its not hitting the cord yet, but it is touching something which is causing the numbness. I have had daily pain for 5 months bet my shoulders and neck with right arm numbness/ weakness and all extremities when lying down. Every time I get the numbness I get very upset and anxious b/c I think someday it will lead to permanent nerve damage. I wonder if that makes it worse (getting anxious about it).

Information request!

sbrown — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 03:38:05 -0700

I need to find the person who had the bike accident 12 yrs ago. I forgot their user name and I desperatly need to speak with them. Their description of pain, treatments tried are identical to mine. I've never had ANYONE describe them like this before. It was if I where doing the talking. We have a great deal in common and I would really like to speak with you about your condition further.

Thank you,
sbrown

Today is the day

jlrfrye — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 02:47:20 -0700

Today is the first day back at work. I am trying to be up beat about this but I do not know if I am going to be able to do this. The surgeon did not want me to return but if I did not I will lose my elig. for benefits. Doctor has agreed to let me do 20 hrs per week and work has agreed to let me keep benefits for another 12 weeks if I work 20 hours per week. I do not qualify for FMLA so I am lucky I still have a job due to the fact that I had only been working for this company 60 days when I went out on sick leave for 3 months. After my 12 weeks are up I do not know what I am going to do.

Does your pain make you tired?

sunny1966 — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 16:03:33 -0700

I feel like I haven't slept for days and have been doing hard physical labor. So far today though, I've been for my walk, did my exercises and a little bit of housework. That's about it. Do any of you just feel completely worn out from pain? I have it in my neck, lower back and legs and by the time I 'fight' it all day I'm so tired. That doesn't mean I can sleep though. You all know how that goes don't you? It seems like my head is too heavy for my neck to hold up! I was just wondering if any of you feel like this too? Do you feel zapped by the end of the day?

can anyone help identify?

jwatt25 — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 02:23:56 -0700

I'm new on here & quite frankly, at the end of my rope. I've been suffering from chronic pain for several different issues (all back/accident-related beginning '00). I've had over 14 surgeries, with 4 more scheduled in the next 3 weeks. I'm fused (w/hardware) from T4 to S1, & fused with bolts into my Iliac joints (hipbones). I have zero range of motion (forward, backward, side to side, twist, bend, etc. i'm like a 2x4 -i don't move). I've had 3 botched surgeries with malplacement of screws into nerves, into my spinal cord, into my lungs, etc.

Pelvic fractures

allyk — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:58:40 -0700

Chronic Pain Site

marirlpn — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 03:32:40 -0700

I think I can post this. Additional support for those who live in the New Hampshire region:

http://www.nhpaintalk.com/index.php

DRIVING

pete81241 — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 05:14:02 -0700

HOW DO YOU MANAGE TO DRIVE YOUR CAR. ...WHAT ABOUT DRIVING SAFELY WHILE IN PAIN AND WITH LIMITED REFLEXES.

Good books or resources on living well with chronic pain

coyotewildwoman — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 01:07:23 -0700

Anyone know of good books on how to best deal with the ongoing emotional and physical impact of chronic pain. I am not seeking another book about the various surgical or exercise options.

I have plenty of those resources, and do the stretches, McKenzie work, pilates etc, and will continue these.

However, I would like to find some resources for dealing with the ongoing pain.I know it has to have a huge impact on my life, from a holistic perspective, but I have not found any good resources on how to cope with it, and live a healthy, satisfying life.

desparate for help with chronic pain

krikit — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 18:49:51 -0700

Hello...i am a newbie to this forum. I have had fibromyalgia for about 12 years, and then 3 years ago I had a back car accident and had a compression fracture of L1 in my back. They finally did surgery a year and a half ago...they had to take out a rib and then do a vertebral body replacement at L1 with rods and screws. I have been on Norco since my surgery for the chronic pain. My husband is a medic, and I am a photographer and own my own photography studio, so I stay very active.

Pain in Thoracic after L5/S1 Fusion 1 yr ago

Ming — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 23:51:45 -0700

I was wondering if anyone else experienced pain in the thoracic area (between my shoulder blades and a little bit under) of my spine after having an ALIF L5/S1 over 1 yr ago?

I didn't have this pain before the surgery. It seems to be getting worse instead of better and is right on my spine. I don't know if this is normal because now the levels above the fusion are taking on more.

I was just curious if any of you are experiencing this. Just what I need, 1 more thing to cause me pain

Medtronics research message area?

Crabby Appleton — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 13:53:49 -0700

Does anyone know of a site or message board where you can talk to other people that are taking part in the same research study? I'm about 5 weeks into a research study for the Medtronics intrathecal pain pump using gabapentin. I'd love to hear from/talk to others that are taking part in this study. Let me know...
Thanks!
Crabby Appleton

crabbyappleton61@gmail.com

Can someone please shed some light on this back pain?

scottymac — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 18:05:00 -0700

In December I had my second discectomy on L4/5 on left side, pinched sciatic nerve. My first surgery was ten years ago L4/5 on right side, same thing from a car accident. I healed fine from first surgery until last year when my lower back started killing me. Now in July 7 months after surgery I am in lots of pain. On both sides of my spine about 2-3 inches on left and right it feels like I have 2 rocks in my back. All of my pain is coming from these two points. I cannot do anything physical or stand for more than 10 minutes.

the pro circulation booster v9 anyone got one?

straker — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 11:14:09 -0700

another piece of kit on sale at the moment ..my mother in law has just bought one ..its like a TENS for your legs and feet ..what you do is plug it in and place both your feet on the pads and turn it on ..i tried it for half an hour and it was very powerful it went all the way up my legs ..i would like to here from anyone that has one and any results that you have ..i was thinking about getting one but dont want to spend another 200 pounds on something that's no good ..a good test for me would to be able to try it first thing in the morning when i am in the most pain {but because its not mine

S.C.S.

j.howie — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 22:32:39 -0700

I'm considering having my Ans S.C.S. removed. But I'm also considering the possibility of lead replacement with the lamitrode tripole 16c. The typical leads used really don't cover low back. Which is where I need the stimulation.

relaxation techniques helps to decrease pain levels

tinker43 — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 18:11:52 -0700

Hi!

Pain and what comes with it?

adamb — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 11:28:53 -0700

Just wondering I have to say I am not in chronic pain like others. I have pain sometimes intense and sometimes not so intense that it disrupts my everyday activities. Oh right I am not so active anymore. Anyway I wanted to ask if others had high amounts of pain followed by significantly less, but when its less do you have other issues. For me, when there is less pain, I tend to get more numbness in lower rt leg or It feels like my foot is expanding in my shoe, or just really tight in mid-back. There is a number of happenings but these were just more common ones.

methadone is that for pain

cycouchman — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:43:36 -0700

does anyone know why my doctor would issue me methadone for pain? is it really for pain?

foraminal stenosis and DDD

vandysux — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:59:11 -0700

i've been to seven doctors this year alone. recently to neurosurgeon who said surgery just wouldn't help. he sent me to pain management who said that they don't prescribe medication. what????

help me

cycouchman — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:19:42 -0700

mri stats L4 L5 is calapsed one is torn and degenerative disk disease family doc gives 10mil codone but is not killing the pain she sent me to a surgeon but have not gone yet I dont want surgery takes her 3 days to refill my script, before my mri my co pay was 25 dollars now she says shes a specialist and says i have to pay 50 dollars wtf! wat do i do???????

1 finger points -3 fingers point back at me

Centurion45 — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:53:40 -0700

[Edit - I was going to post this as a tag to a ealier post on someone else's thread, but I felt the meaningfulness would be lost.]

Anyone ever heard of Prolotherapy?

Vicky ODonnell — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 20:36:42 -0700

I was recently recently was reseaching the web for ways to try and relieve the Chronic Pain I am in daily. It has gotten completely out of control.
I am now not able to function until about 11am ( takes me that long to get moving, waking up about 7:30-8:00am ). It is absolutely killing me. I am a business owner and mother of 4 children. I do not have the luxury of staying home and feel sorry for myself but the past 4 months, it has escalated to 24 hr a day/7 days a week pain.

Music, decrease in discomfort

Centurion45 — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 05:18:02 -0700

Hi all, I've been experimenting recently and found this as a Chronic pain "treatment".

Hit a nightclub, grab a coke, and enjoy live entertainment.
[Been a long time since I felt like it and it takes a lot of effort to go, but once there, I feel much better, to the point where I have to be careful about moving and keeping myself limber.] When I sit for more than an hour, I lock-up badly.

What the MRI means?

buguita — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 18:20:47 -0700

Mild disc bulging at L 3/4 with no evidence of spinal stenosis or disc protrusion.

Pain meds and nausea

Lala329 — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:58:15 -0700

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone had any good techniques or even more information for managing nausea while on narcotic pain meds. I'm on oxycodone and get terrible nausea with it. I do better if I take it with food in my stomach, and if I keep my head completely still. The problem is the whole point in taking the pains meds is so I can be up off the couch and doing stuff, but any type of movement really sets off terrible nausea. I also get extremely car sick when I take it, so if I have to go anywhere I can't take it which is pretty problematic.

Helpful article to share with your partner if you are in chronic pain

coyotewildwoman — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 01:05:15 -0700

I found this to be a helpful article to share with my partner- here is the link-

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5ht4uwZDLJxI...

-----------------------------------------------------------

Is your partner in pain? Validating how he or she feels might help
By Anne-Marie Tobin (CP) – 13 hours ago

TORONTO — When one person in a relationship is in chronic pain, there can be an impact on daily life, family finances and communication.

L4-L6 severe damage looking for relief

apageor2 — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 08:41:26 -0700

Where to begin other than say I have been damaged from the middle of my back to my tail bone from a car accident. There has never been any signs of relief and physical therapy is three years in, I'm working on my fourth year now.

Pain Pump

Littlesurfer — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 05:58:50 -0700

Patsy, here is a link to the Pain Pump w/questions and answers.http://www.medtronic.com/your-health/chronic-back-and-leg-pain/getting-a-device/drug-pumps/questions-answers/

cyst in lumbar

Been there done that — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 04:49:12 -0700

Does anyone have any cyst involved in their spine pushing on their buldging disc and know cause or no surgical way to make cyst go away?

We can all help each other.

John — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:56:12 -0700

For those people who have not made pain a career, as Sternbach mentioned we all have to understand that we are all on the spectrum of progression and as said, although that message may have to be continuously reiterated we all need progression and proportionate support as and when necessary on our own individual journey.

Living in chronic pain after an active life

coyotewildwoman — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:44:44 -0700

Hi, I had a failed lamin/ disc. and am pretty much in constant lower back pain and sciatica.

I have been considering my various options, which include living with it coupled with drugs, disc replacement, or biologics . It has been 2.5 years of almost constant pain which limits my ability to work and enjoy an active lifestyle. Need to do something!

C

Code 1 — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 22:27:54 -0700

Hello everyone. I have no direct knowledge of what was said to you tho I can assure you that it was not me. I am at a loss for words and for all of your kind chat. I want to apologize for any wrong doing and start over to become a member of this awesome site. I am code 1 and when I was reading some of the hurtfull conversations I realized what you was told was very bad. I am a good man and now I want to be able to show all of you that I am and ask to be able to chat with some of you with new beginnings.

I think I'm going to ask for a refill on the Pain Medication

Zoie — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:55:48 -0700

Hello everyone!

I'm two weeks post microdiscectomy/laminectomy and will be going for my check-up with the doc's nurse tomorrow. The surgeon that performed my surgery never prescribed any meds prior to my surgery. On my pre-surgical visit he asked me what I was taking for pain. I told him my primary doc has prescribed Darvocet and that I took it occasionally as well as Neurontin 3x daily.

severe pain and treatment

KENTUCKYGIRL65 — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 07:05:40 -0700

Hi all I pretty much stay in severe pain anymore, had my surgery l2-3 discectomy in november. I have searched help and relief but have found no one willing to listen. My doctor thinks the problem should have been fixed by his surgery and I have so many other problems that he just ignores,I have been going to a chiropractor for two days that uses the activator method and it scares me that they might do more damage, the chiro told me that my spine is way crooked and will only get worse..Does anyone know if this little tool can cause more damage?

If Back pain is not enough......

dmoonchild — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:40:32 -0700

I now must go through the process of finding out if I have MS. It started with an innocent eye exam. I was sent to a neuro opthamologist and was cleared . He didnt see anything to indicate MS through my eyes. I have another appointment with a neurologist on the 24th. Does it ever end!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

severe chronic low back pain

jamieparker79 — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:48:37 -0700

Hello everyone!

Help

jojomuffintoe — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 22:37:23 -0700

My wife has recently lost her job due to her back and her hand pain. She has been struggling with it for a while now, so finally she had to let the job go. I was laid off from my job and my unemployment was taken from me. Now we have no income at all. Everything has happended all at once. My wife just applied for disability today. From what I understand this can take a long time. She worked for more then 20 years and always paid social security taxes, now she in unable to work and has the MRI to prove her

unbearable pain

paininohio — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:18:17 -0700

I have been fused from my L-2 to my S-1 now the center of my back is in sever pain and in my right hand my litle finger and the one beside it are going numb.I had a spinal cord stimulater implanted in nov of 08 but it only helps a litle with my righ leg. does anyone have any symsptoms like this with their fingers going numb andif so what is causing it.

thanks doug

Thorasic Outlet Syndrome

CyndiN — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 10:18:58 -0700

I have Thorasic Outlet Syndrome and at my wits end. I am seeing a new pain management Dr on Wed. and would like any information on any procedures, pain medicine, physical therapy etc. that has helped. I've done so many things but nothing is really helping. Any had the rib removal surgery? I've heard horror stories.
Thanks so much -
Cyndi

Real Pain and Real Psych or Brain/Body Links

ernurse — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 13:07:57 -0700

I have been wanting to make this post for a while. I've been around here for several SH sites(yes, plural, sites) and have seen many members come and go for many reasons. There have been drama queens(males and females) that have annoyed me and folks that I consider to be dear friends now. I have disagreed with many members here but still can respect some of their opinions and some of their viewpoints. I am pretty darned sure that I'll make a few more people angry here with this post, but I also have the right to post here too, even if I don't plead for sympathy during this post.

Really wanting an answer!

mmissy1012 — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 09:21:05 -0700

Duplicate post deleted by moderator paulgla

Go to:

http://www.spine-health.com/forum/sciatica-leg-pain-radiculopathy/really...

researching and came across this???

vivavegas — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 05:44:00 -0700

Hi everyone, I have been doing alot of research lately.well you all know the saying if you want a job done right....do it yourself! and I have had to do it myself cause noone else seems to be helping,most of you all know that i have slight scoloisis althought they now say my scoloisis isnt bad its more my pelvis isnt in the proper region

Radiofrequency Rhizotomy Treatment

Littlesurfer — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 07:12:11 -0700

Does anyone have any information on Radiofrequency Rhizotommy treatments. I recently had the trial for a peripheral nerve field stimulator and it was a failure. My pain management dr has now recommended radiofrequency treatments before moving on to a different kind of nerve stimulator.

what's worse?

pete81241 — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 06:29:50 -0700

when i had pain in one area of the body and it hurt like he$$..... i didn't think it could be much worse. now that i have pain everywhere i wonder if it's worse than pain in one spot. does pain everywhere take your focus of just having pain in one area?

Some People honestly are Beyond Help

Disabled American Veteran — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 03:02:59 -0700

For those of us trolls who have monitored and read this site from the start have seen people come and go. We have became friends with so many people on this site that it makes me smile just thinking about it. I have met suba drivers, motorcycle jumpers, sports officials, mothers, fathers, every walk of live. I have gotten to read alot of research, thoughts on this board from so many people and it's helped alot. It's the people I read that go thru this procedure and that implant or this operation from thier posts everytime they have something done they post they are getting better.

Does anyone have a Pain Pump & a SCS implant??

patwhite101 — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:58:53 -0700

Does anyone on here have a Pain Pump and a SCS implant?
Looks like I am going to have both. My pain Doc said a pain pump is the only thing that is going to help my chronic pain. I have been on STRONG meds with very little help from them.
I am sick of pain and do not want more surgery but my Pain Doc says that is the only option I have left. Sheesh....
If you have a pain pump....how much has it helped you??
All my pain is in my feet and legs below the knees.
Hugssssssss
Patsy W

Peripheral Nerve Field Stimulator Trial Failure

Littlesurfer — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 05:09:39 -0700

I just had the trial for the Peripheral Nerve Field Stimulator. I have pain in the coccyx/sacrum area and this stimulator was recommnded because I have localized pain and the leads are placed directly over the area of pain and just under the skin. Several times I have met with the person who does the programming and have tried 10 different ones and have had absolutely no success in relieving my pain. This stimulator doesn't reach my pain...it doesn't go deep enough, I guess, somehwhat like the tens machine, which does nothing for my pain.

I dont even know where to start...

Puppy — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:39:37 -0700

My name is Heather, Im only 30 yrs old and have had chronic back pain for over 5 years. I have lower backpain and thoracic pain and not one single freaking diagnosis on WHY i am in pain! I had an MRI but they didn't do my whole spine like they said they would, just my lower which just showed 'wear and tear' ?? I've been to pointless physio therapy, and i keep going back and complaining to my dr with no answer.

Does anyone have Myofascial Pain Syndrome?

morris8790 — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:18:23 -0700

Hi, I was just diagnosed with fibromyalgia recently and now I am told that I have this Myofascial pain syndrome also. From what if learned on the net a lot of times when you suffer from fibro the 2 coinside together. Just wnadering if there are any others on here with the same thing and what has your treatment been? Or do we just deal with all the pain
Thanks

Referred to a Pain Management doc

Dedalus — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:55:55 -0700

Hello all. I got some good news yesterday. I am NOT going to have surgery!

Now of course, that leads to the bad news... I have to learn to live with my pain. To that end, I have been referred to a Pain Management doctor. I looked through the site a bit and couldn't find anything to answer my questions. What should I expect out of the first visit? What should I expect overall?

Sorry for being a moron...

jay911 — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 06:55:28 -0700

I am truly lucky to be able to still be working, although every day I wonder how I can make it through the day. The next day I go back to work wondering the same thing. And so it goes, day after day.

chronic pain and travel

straker — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 05:15:26 -0700

hi all ..as some off you know i have just returned from a planned visit to the isle of man to see my daughter ,,never again!!..i had to cut the visit short because i was {am } still in so much pain .the point of this post is .when you take away your home comforts like recliner /walk in showers etc .life fro the disabled becomes almost impossible.i have spent the last 5 days in agony and just wanting to come home .the short time i did spend with my daughter i had to spend it lay on my ex wife's couch!

tarlov cysts

blueyes_68 — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 08:34:10 -0700

I need advice. have tarlov cysts a little over 1.5 inches wide and DDD. I stay in pain night and day. Pain pills only make my pain less severe, but by no means take it away. I have been even trying a chiropractor but it seems like i am in worse pain in my lower back. Could he be harming the cysts? The chiropractor has helped my neck, but the area where the cysts are is excruciating. anyone have these cysts. My ns says they only affect about nine percent of the population.

So many different answers help please.........

sheppie — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 12:03:21 -0700

Hi there. I am new and so glad I found this site. I have MRI results and if ok will post on here in hopes I can get some help. I have friends that are both doctors/physiotherapists and chiropractors so as you can see the advice has been all over the place.

I am a 43 year old woman (active) with a 2 year old toddler. During pregnancy while excercising I hurt my back?? No idea how as was doing walking treadmill however hurt I did. I could not walk last 2 months of pregnancy due to the dragging of one leg due to acute pain.

Medicinal Maijuana for Nerve Pain

Tracy_Lynn — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:57:54 -0700

I hope someone/ anyone can help me - I have been suffering from chronic back/sciatica pain for over 2 years now - I had a spinal fusion in January but I still have leg pain and numbness in my heel that hurts and drives me crazy. As of March I was taken off of all narcotic pain meds (Oxycontin) and my Dr.

Help with Kyphosis

Robospine — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:16:52 -0700

Hello,

I'm a 27 yo who was just diagnosed with kyphosis. I am told that the pain i just started suffering is going to be permanent, and that all i can do from now and on is take pain medications.
They say the brace does not work after reaching skeletal maturity (age 15-16).
Is there really no way to fix the actual curvature after that age? what if i wear the brace and then somehow strengthen the muscles around the spine at the same time for, say, a year. Will that work to hold the spine in a new position?
I just really hate to look like this plus live with the pain forever, you know :-\

Injections and Osteoporosis.

mcarr36 — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:22:29 -0700

Hi Friends,

OxyConton, Depression and diet relationship – Help

Terry01 — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:06:06 -0700

Probably not posted in right area but has anyone got some knowledge or personal experience in this area?

Who are you besides chronic pain?

Lala329 — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:00:26 -0700

Hi all,

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about what life with chronic pain means. I feel like so much of who I am is tied up with the pain and I hate that, so I'm trying to think about who I am at this point in my life in my journey with chronic pain. It just gets frustrating because most of the people in my life know about my pain, and the frequent questions about how I feel and all of the "what did you do today/this weekend/etc" make me feel like people don't really see me anymore because the pain has become such a part of who I am. So, this is what I've come up with...

Spinal pain along with sinus problems

ddroberge — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:00:37 -0700

Hi, I am a 53 yr old women with chronic neck pain as well as sinus pain. I have seen an ENT and was told my sinuses are ot that bad. He believes it might be a cervical problem and/or TMD. I have seen other doctors and no one seems to know what to do. I have had x-rays and CTs, I waa told that I have some arthritis and then given meds. No one addresses the sinus problems. I am always in pain sometime it is so bad that I cannot function. Does anyone have any ideas, I would appreciate any help?

Expain Hot & Cold Therapy?

jasro — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:26:36 -0700

I'm always using heat.

I can't imagine the pain from anything cold touching me. Doc prescribed Lidoderm patches, I read they're cold - and not sure I want to try them.

Why do PT people say to use "Hot then cold" treatments? Can anyone explain the benefit of doing this?? Is it to make the muscles contract & relax without help from me? Does it work??

thanks.
jasro

Claudication

jasro — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:12:13 -0700

Claudication has become confusing to me. The discomfort I've felt with it since childhood has always been from walking or standing too long. It used to always start with the lower part of my back getting that "tight band" feeling then slowly leak into my legs. Always managed fine by sitting down for a while. But..isn't there always a but??

Does this sound familiar?

sunny1966 — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 06:58:57 -0700

It's 3:00am. I might as well get up. I've twisted, turned, groaned and moaned in bed long enough. Don't want to disturb hubby. Grab my pillow, my fluffy blanket. Got my ice pack, heating pad, took more pain meds. How about ice on lower back and heat on neck? Nope. Heat on lower back and ice on neck? Ah, nope. Can't lie on the sofa. Can't lie on the floor. Recliner?

What to do??? News

jmichelle — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:50:27 -0700

Whats next then???

What are people supposed to do if the FDA agrees with its panel? Use no breakthrough meds?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31664450/ns/health-more_health_news/

Jackie

new and need to talk now

texasfizzil — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:22:56 -0700

I've been registered for over a year but I'm too chicken to post till I read some of your posts! Now I need some help and a big hay. I've had chronic back pain from ddd in my neck on down to my butt. Yesterday I woke up with searing lower pain and my legs froze for quite awhile,

I do have hemengiomas, osteoarthritis, ostoporosis and los of jaw bone due to complete dentures.

I'm scared now! I hate proceedures and pain management docs so I let my primary doc take care of me with consults from others.

Sorry, need advice, starting to freak me out

WhymeA — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:35:26 -0700

I am having troubles today, it comes and goes. Right now I am semi-ok. It started on my walk about 3 hours after my morning meds. About a mile in, I suddenly felt drunk, and had to concentrate not to fall over or to look drunk. if i walked regular, I seemed to lean and move left, it took all my energy and concentration to get home. Once home, I called my surgeon and my PM, the surgeon to find out if it was from the pressure i been feeling in my back up to my head since going off ibup. they say take tylenol, I tell them no pain... nothing.

PLEASE HELP. POSSIBLE SACROILIAC (SI) JOINT. YOUNG AND ACTIVE

viper — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:45:16 -0700

I am a30yo male, in good health, 20lb over what I weighed at 18, and suffering from increased lower back problems. I seem to be able to lift at times without problems. The other day I was using a screwdriver in a seated position and felt something get weird that was was it. It locked up and I was walking like I was 80yo. I have had 2 other painful episodes in the past week that crippled me because I am active and need to get things done.

terrible day

pete81241 — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:37:58 -0700

i've been on SH now one month. never asked for help and understanding. mr macho!! ha ha....but today i need help. everything hurts, head to toe. i should get some ice but i can't move. Just need a little support. Drugs and i've tried them all...dont touch my pain. I drive to boston this fri. to see ns about stimulator. please send me a good wish. Was up most of night worrying about a few people on sh. now i need support...thanks....pete

Pain and "addiction" if you will...

WhymeA — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:30:05 -0700

This story belongs to all of us. And, I am going to get to my point eventually, so I hope you all listen. (and it really is only generally related to the story)

I have been on Neurontin for almost a week. It took only 2 days to get up to my full dose of 300mg 4x per day. The relief was almost instant (in that it took only about 45 minutes after my second dose to notice a huge improvement). I take no other pain meds, yet my pain level is down so much I can manage the other pain I do have.

SCS Research

dave — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 07:08:21 -0700

I am in the process of researching if an SCS is a possible solution to my current pain problems in my legs. My doctor has recently breached the subject with me and I expect to discuss this further at our next appointment in August. In the meantime, I'm trying to learn more from others who have an SCS with similar symptoms to mine.

My signature indicates the number of surgeries that I have had to include a link to my fusion recovery blog. My current state is as follows:

Pain: 90% Leg / 10% Back

Back: Minor burn around L4/L5 area sometimes.

taking my med

backpain67 — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:32:53 -0700

My Doc has me taking 10 mg Lortab 3 X day for pain. Some reaseon I always seem to choke on any kind of oblong type pill??? Anyway is it OK to break the up in pieces by chewing and the swallowing them? Am I messing the dose up that way? Thanks

============================================

Looking for a womans back support in Nassau County,L.I.N.Y.

Vicki — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 14:54:42 -0700

Hi I am recovering from my 2nd fusion and then in Jan I fell and broke my back. Had it repaired after 9wks in agony, April2nd. I give in pain, am depressed and just don't know anyone in my area thats in the same mess. I am looking for other woman that are recovering or trying to. Very much in need of support from people who really understand back pain, surgery and the disability it presents. If you'd like to be "friends" I would be forever grateful for the comradery.I am in my mid 50's and ready to tear my hair out. I'm too young to be like this.

What I believe fixed me

Reborn — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 13:14:59 -0700

Just posting this in [faint] hope that someone with the same strong instincts and common sense as me comes across this and it helps them. Disclaimers etc.: just my story.

Context:

Can someone help???

mamaomany — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 22:36:30 -0700

Do you know if thoracic spinal pain can mimick lumbar (low back) pain?

Just need some sympathy

MaggieP — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 18:45:47 -0700

I normally work 5-10 1/2 hour days, + one extra 5hr shift once a month, driving 1,500 miles a week as a medical courier. This past week, I took a shift for the summer that was supposed to be 4-9 1/2hr + the one extra day, driving 1,800 miles a week. I thought being only 4 days would be better for my muscle spasms and pain in neck, and upper & lower back. It turns out I worked 44hrs in 4 days, plus an extra 5 1/2hrs today. And it was 93* today. After I took my shower, and set down here, I am in a great deal of pain..7-8.

Micheal Jackson and oxycontin {here we go again!!}

straker — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 09:15:29 -0700

its sad the the self styled king of pop had gone {i remember him from the disco days in the 80s when i had a part time job as a bar man in a night club } anyway i digress as usual!

Social Security Disability Question. PLEASE Anyone with Info!!!

unknownissue — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:23:33 -0700

I just recently applied in May 2009 for Social Security Disability. I contacted the person handling the case to check the status of my Claim & they said that they finally recieved all my Medical Records & will now have the Doctor who works in their Office Review my Records & then once the Doctor reviews my Records they will Send all my Documents to the Social Security Office & then Social Security will make the Decision.
They said I should here an answer next month & if I don't here from them, Call them back to check the status of my claim.

Permanent SCS Surgery for Head Pain Was Implanted

mcarr36 — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 07:37:59 -0700

Hi friends,

A Wonderful Doctor...

patwhite101 — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 06:15:51 -0700

Hi Everyone....
As most of you know on the 4th of this month(June) I had my ANS, SCS permanent implant. I am doing great and recovering nicely. I am still a bit weak and do tire easily but am improving every day.
The stimulator is working great and coverage is very good.
It has reduced my leg pain by 100% and the pain in my feet by 60%. Isn't that wonderful? I am so happy with it. I can accidently brush against something with my legs and I no longer scream and jump with the sudden pain!!

Back Pain and Med pump

rossam — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:03:52 -0700

I have been in severe pain w/back & neck pain for several years,disable for nine years had neck surgery July 02 still having Problems with my neck C5/6 fusion DDD and shoulder pain.I have been chasing a fix for DDD in three levels L3/4-L5/S1 with low back hip and leg pain.I has L5/S1 fusion Dec 08

Vitamin D Deficiency

ChronicPain1 — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:24:41 -0700

Has anyone been tested for this? I've begun wondering if it exacerbates my chronic muscle pain recently. I haven't yet been tested for it, but I just bought Vitamin D supplements in addition to my normal multivitamin intake.

I assume I don't have much of it because I work the overnight shift, and sleep during the day. Getting much sun isn't a possibility and I have noticed when I do, my aches and pains are reduced some. Today being in the sun and taking the supplement, I feel a bit better to be honest.

Neck, Shoulder, Head

Cupcake — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:37:36 -0700

My c4-c6 discs herniate and compress on my spinal cord. The pain is indescribable. I've been in ER three times. Last night I couldn't even go home and had to stay at a hotel. Not much more then 3 hours sleep. The pain has lessened my quality of life and I'm slowly going into a depression. I'm seeing a neurosurgeon on Monday in hope he can do something for me. I can't much more take this ongoing pain. There are some days that are ok so it's not like 7 days a week. But it's always there, except when it's bad it keeps me off my feet for at least two days.

Nerve Ablation with No Diagnosis: I can't sit!

Lala329 — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:35:29 -0700

I have been advised to try a nerve ablation procedure doing the nerve roots from L3 down to my SI joint on the left side of my back. I am extremely undecided about trying this because 1) All of those facets and the SI joint have been numbed and injected and they were negative (but no, I've never had a medial or lateral branch block), and 2) The source of the chronic pain remains undiagnosed because all of my imaging studies are normal, and 3) I know the procedure knocks out the innervation to the multifidus, and I have heard this can potentially cause spinal instability.

need exercise advice for L5S1 bulge

2young4this — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:31:45 -0700

I have searched and searched the internet and it always results in me reading these forums, so I thought I'd post myself and give it a shot.

I'm a 29 year old female with two young children. My youngest child is almost 2 and weighed 30 pounds at 6 months old. She weighs 34 now. She's been a load on my back to carry around.

I went to a Dr. because my low back hurt so bad I couldn't sit, sleep, exercise, or go to the grocery without it resulting in extreme discomfort. I don't consider myself a whiner. I don't like to go to the Doctor.

Your Kidding me Right??

Disabled American Veteran — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 07:38:29 -0700

Wow,

Dont know whats happining

lorao — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 05:42:29 -0700

The last 4 evenings i get so achy, stiff, (to the point i have to lay down) chills, and body gets hot, this lasts for about an hour. in the morning i take celebrex, neurotin, zergrid and lortab 1-2 every 6 hours. The systoms happen in between my morning and night medication. I have really push myself through out the day and im wandering if that is a part of it. any ideals?
lora

Savella

MissPiggy — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:27:27 -0700

Has anyone taken Savella? It's new I guess and mostly for fibromyalgia. I think it is helping some of my pain but mostly my muscle spasms don't seem to be as strong.

possible spinal cord stimulator

kimmeam — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:12:06 -0700

I have been offered a trial spinal cord stimulator. I went to my Dr. today & told him that the reduced meds are killing me, I can not function in so much pain. He told me that I would now have to see a pain management specialist as there was nothing else he could do for me.

Esquire Magazine's reccomendations fixed my chronic back pain

Dirkrn — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:15:48 -0700

EDITED

Edited by moderator paulgla

Permanent SCS Surgery Tomorrow.

mcarr36 — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:47:38 -0700

Hi,

Creepy crawly feeling in legs

ulyssia — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 22:10:37 -0700

Just wondering, I have lower back and neck issues. Herniated disc at L5/S1 and annular tear. I have been having weird sensations in my legs, which I do have nerve pain/sciatica and tingling numbness and all, but this is like something is crawling on me. Anyone experience that and know what it is? Do you think it can be from my back and nerves being affected? Let me know what you think! Thanks

sacrolliac joint fusion

vivavegas — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 09:31:15 -0700

hi im wondering if anyone knows what excatly this is?

too old to get help?

starbaby — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 16:45:02 -0700

Hi, everyone. This is my first post as I am a newbie to this site. Couldn't believe when I found it, its so perfect. I have scoliosis, "bulging discs throughout", degenerative disc disease, arthritis and fibromyalgia. I went to this fancy pants doc in a larger city near my hometown, thinking that maybe I should try to be more pro-active and not just rely on meds to get me through life. Anyway, he told me that he would not do any surgery on me unless he was going to "fix everything" and I did not want to do that.

neck and lower lumdar pain

john friel — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:19:58 -0700

i was involved in a car accident two years ago. I was rear ended by a car going 40 miles. I was stoped at red light. I have very bad lumbar pain, I have bulged disc and herniated disc. I have had 6 injections once and then 3 more. Nothing is working. There are days that I can not walk at all.

I also have nech pain where I can not move it side to side and it is worse when I stand up. I also get pinching and burning in the shoulders and very bad headackes.

My pain managment doctor is fixing nothing

Where should I go from here.

L4-L5 spinal fusion

Johndoe — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 04:16:55 -0700

Sense having my L4-L5 fusion Doc said the fusion looks great, But isn't sure why I still have continued back pain.. my pm doc is just calling it a failled fusion. I had a myleogram done about 6 months afer my surgery which about made me pass out, showed normal. So why is it I still have severe low back pain and some leg pain?????

pain the the buttocks when sitting

yankee fan — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:31:30 -0700

My friend has had pain the the buttocks when sitting for the last 16 months. He has had several MRI's and has had different diagonisis. One diagonisis was piriformis syndrome, another has been possible myofascial pain. Some doctors have flat out told him they don't know what is really wrong. Some doctors have said he has peripal nerve damage, but there seems to be no cause for it. He is extremely frustrated. Prior to the pain in the but, he was walking about 6 to 8 miles a week and was very active.

x-ray?

redkaren — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 02:35:50 -0700

hi, I had an x-ray done a year and a half ago. It was done lying on one side with me knees bent.I'm just wondering if anyone know if that one xray along with a rescent mri scan would show up all facet etc problems or if I should also have had x-rays taken from other angles? The mri showed degereration of the vertabrae and a disc bulge which I had removed 5 weeks ago, but I still have exactly the same back pain as before, which I feel is more mechanical.Physio is making my pain worse.thanks in advence,Karenx

Do you think setting goals helps pain?

mkrx — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:16:11 -0700

I'm new to this forum and looking at many of the posts. I'm recovering from a disc hernia, which happened 1/15/09. Was on crutches, sever pain, in bed pretty much all of the time, etc. Getting better now, though I've exhausted all conservative treatments (hence, that's why I'm poking around here). Still in bed about 15-18 hrs per day, but getting less pain, so things are improving.

But here's my question: what effect do you think setting goals has on pain?

Thoracic Pain

Merindyy — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:15:01 -0700

I had a MRI and have been suffering for years now and the pain is getting worse and doctors think I nuts. MRI shows:

Tiny syrinx in my thoracic cord at t5/6 to t8/9. Peripheral enchancemnt of distal thoracic cord. Recommends CSF studies.

Extruded disk at t8/9 wihich anteriorly deforms the toracic cord.

Posterior ostephytic ridging at t-3/4 and mild retropulsion of superior aspect of the t12 vertebral body causing anteior indention of the thecal sac and mild deformity of the cord at these levels.

Anterior vertebral wedging of the lower thoracic levels.

post xlif

tcr1130 — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:13:18 -0700

has anyone had pain following there xlif/plif/alif which consisted of pain, numbness, loss of sensation, temperature changes in leg or foot... i am at three months since the surgery.. and the doctors are tossing around something called reflex sympathetic dystrophy... my emg/nerve conduction shows l4-5 radiculopathy, my mri showed nothing except one of the cages tipped with a slight disc bulge...

so i believe one doctor thinks rsd and the other thinks l4-5 nerve damage

i have had my third round of sypathetic nerve blocks, todays was with a second shot with steroids.

When it rains.............

sunny1966 — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:39:27 -0700

Well, my neck pain is acting up. My elbow doesn't want to bend and my fingers on my left hand are numb/tingling. It's raining. That probably explains it. My lower back or butt pain is getting worse everyday. I can't sit much. I can't walk far without the pain going down the front of my legs and in my knees. Not below the knee. I have to stop and bend over with my hands on my knees and it'll ease up until I walk farther then do the same again. Does anyone else have pain like this? It doesn't sound like sciatica does it?

What to do

kimmeam — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 06:17:54 -0700

I am now 10 months post acdf c5/6.
I have never gotten relief since the surgery, well yes some of the numbness & tingling in my fingers is gone until I sleep then it's back.
My surgeon dismissed me & left the state in Dec. I have been seeing the Dr. that first did the EMG testing & referred me to the surgeon for my c3/4 disc. I'm not sure what his offical title is but he has been handling my pain meds.

Chronic vs Acute Pain

dilauro — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 05:33:42 -0700

We all deal so long and hard with chronic pain. Each of us tries to identify what is the best action plan to help get through it.
I was just reminded of Acute Pain. The past 4 days my right knee was swollen and getting bigger with a lot of pain and trouble putting any pressure on it. Had no idea what I did.
I went to my Deep Tissue Guy and he said I stetch ACL like tendons and my calf muscles locked in a natural response. Well, he dug his elbows in to my thigh up/dow which seemed for about 3 hours. All of that torture did help.. I came up used a lot ice and am doing that today.

Please Help me

Cdempsey1176 — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 21:43:07 -0700

Hello all,

I just came across this site and thought I would give it a try. Okay I am a 32 year old male that has moderate to severe back and leg pain. This has been ongoing for about 7 years. I have been through a long list from doctors and medications. If you name the medicine I most likely have taken it.

I have been to orthopedic, nurologist, pediatrist, chiropractors, accupuncture and of course pain management.

withdrawls advice

megoflakes — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:06:32 -0700

I'm 26 with Rhumetoid Arthritis, i've been on 20 -30 mg 3-4 times daily of oxycontin for about 2 years, i've run out a week early this month and have been in withdrawls 2wice before in the past and am scared to death of it again. So i have a big bottle of 7.5 mg Percocet ( says oxycodone/acetamorphine) on the bottle. If i take these instead ( since i have no other choice) will it stop the withdrawls because it has oxycodone in it? I've had to do this already today and havnt gotten sick yet, but have felt rather hot on and off. Right now i'm ok, which is strange, will it last??

Lyrica vs Neurotin

little kymm — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 07:26:28 -0700

Neurotin made me crazy, I mean literally nuts. The Lyrica or Topomax helped along with Tramadol. I have a auto immune disease with lupus which has affected every tissue and organ in my body. I use Lidoderm patches for the pain of shingles when I have the neuralgia. Another good companion, is my trust industrial strength TENS/EMS unit. You can wear it continously or for set periods of time and the best thing about it is you can hook it to your belt or shirt and go along and do things. I stay in pain and don't want to get hooked on narcotics.

stem cell research

micklp66 — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 20:47:12 -0700

that was a very interesting video, the medical field has come a long was-- i hope it helps the ones who need it, maybe someday there will be hope for us spiney's

Chronic pain at 21

sphen — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 18:30:41 -0700

Okay, so here's the situation. I'm currently 21 years old and suffering from chronic back pain. I'm not sure what exactly the source of the pain is. My father has always had back problems, and I know I don't have the best posture. I might have some form of scoliosis.

Leg pain is getting worse

ezra — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 09:31:52 -0700

Yesterday I hit an all time low. I am not sure what the knee pain is about but it, well, sucks. The pain is in the entire leg but seems to stay in the joint area the worst. Last night I had heat on it for a while switching from back/hip to knee to ankle. But by the time I went to bed I could not bend my knee without crying. My husband helped me into bed and tried to massage it a little bit but his touching my knee was very painful. I don't know how normal this is. I am very used to leg pain just not this kind. Today it is like nothing was wrong last night.

Back Pain

F150STX — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:47:04 -0700

I am hoping I can get a greater understanding of my situation and advice from those with more experience. I am 27 years old and have been enduring pain in my thoracic region of my back for close to 4 years and pain in my lumbar for 1 year. After 3 MRI's the results were:

Lumbar:
L5/S1 minimal circumferential buldge without indentation of the thecal sac. No cancal or foraminal stenosis is seen.

Thorasic: (primary source of pain)

Chronic Back pain along with a mixture of other things

jojo helping dad — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:43:30 -0700

Hi,
I am on here on behalf of my father who has been suffering form Chronic back pain since he was 21, he has been handling (as much as possible) this, but every year there always seems to be something else adding up on top of this.

He is now 50 and has a various problems, he has been for lazer surgery and various other operations for the back pain but with no results and no conclusion to what is actually wrong with him. He has tried every alternative therapy he is aware of.

benefits help

shirley — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 09:25:28 -0700

hi hoping for advice from uk members mostly.
i am currently working but pain is making me take more and more time off, boss is supportive but also keeps telling me he is running a business.
im waiting for discogram as root nerve injections have just made me worse, depending on results as to whether i have artificial disc replacement or 360 spine fusion l5s1.

RF Lesioning Painful? And Helpful?

Aquaman77 — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 21:41:04 -0700

Since lumbar fusion 5 years ago the surgery was technically successful. From what I understand I have several sources of pain and some are from before surgery. The surgery just made some things worse, but still much better than before.

Quality of life scale

Robin — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:31:47 -0700

Just thought that I would post this..I haven't seen it here and don't know if it has already been posted-if so--sorry about that.

My pain is pretty severe today in my neck and left shoulder/arm..to the point that I'm really,really having a hard time here..so I'll just say goodnight for now.I'm going to shower and put my TENs back on..it has been helping a good bit.

I hope everyone has a good night..

http://www.theacpa.org/documents/Quality_of_Life_Scale.pdf

Frustrated after meeting with ortho doc this morning

deltalady — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 07:17:58 -0700

This morning I met with my new ortho doc to discuss the results of my MRI (taken last Friday). I was hopeful that this doctor (who is one of the best in my area) would finally be able to figure out what's causing my ongoing sciatic pain in my left leg (suffering since October of 08). But, to the contrary, he could not find a reason to operate and told me if I were his family member there is no way he would let anyone operate on my back. I appreciated his honesty but am now confused about my future. He recommended a pain management doctor.

Brand new Hope in May 2009..Fox and ABC News..

JKDE302 — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 22:48:47 -0700

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnCnq6UHzIM ..ABC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtgGnjMlQqM ...Fox

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVRDqkS6wPU&feature=related channel 7

need feedback from everyone on the board including the mods...

Could this be the future ?

Did you guys know you have a disc in your jaw?

MaggieP — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 00:51:33 -0700

Along with all the other aches & pains, for 7 weeks I had severe jaw, facial, and ear pain. I finally went to the dentist. He took a panolypse x-ray, and I have an internal derangment of the temporal-mandibular disc. I didn't know the jaw had a disc. It is to the point I can't open my mouth very wide, yawn, or eat. Severe pain in my ear. Chewing side to side brings extreme pain The disc is out of place. I have to have a splint made, to force the disc back where it belongs. If it won't stay put, they may consider an artificial joint.

So many electrode choices for TENS, which ones are better?

Brihtwulf — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:17:41 -0700

I've been looking at the various replacement electrodes for my TENS unit, as the ones from the medical supply company here are complete garbage. But there seem to be SO MANY to choose from online. The site I was looking at that seemed to have a variety and comparable pricing is www.qualitymedicalsupplies.com... The exact page I was looking at is: http://www.qualitymedicalsupplies.com/page/QMS/CTGY/TE-EL

Suicide

ivoryone — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 23:17:50 -0700

I am fairly new here on this site and am going to throw some more on the table about suicide. I went through the entire forum on suicide that backpainshell began and learned a great deal. It made me feel not so alone in my thoughts of suicide. I too am a medical professional - R.N. and cannot work due to the pain and peripheral neuropathy. Here's something important: I attempted it in Oct 06 and my husband at the time who was in another state (I had left him) he had a feeling and called the police, ems etc.

Methadone for CP Updated - Waiting for Relief

Jessa — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 22:40:57 -0700

Thanks to everyone who encouraged me to try methadone. No weight gain yet, and the dry mouth hasn't been bad.

However, This is day 9 and I am not getting the kind of relief I got when I tried Methadone for a week about a year ago. On Wed., my doctor gave me permission to slowly raise the dose until I got relief. But, I'm beginning to wonder if I'm going to get relief.

injections vs. surgery, my experience

nicky6154 — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 19:51:42 -0700

May 2008 Chronic lower back pain, upper right side of right leg, nerve pain and numbness
(wf, 54, non smoker/drinker, 5'8" 125 lbs. overall good health) I have seen 4 doctors and this may be of help to others.

My Gp referred me to a specialist. He referred me to an orthopedic specialist, and his appts. consisted of a series of doctors and painful shots, that included:

June, 26, 2008
X-RAY Spondylolysis w/spondylolisthesis at L5-S1. Disk space collapse w/ mild osteoporosis.

back surgery

johnnie — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 16:09:51 -0700

I had two blown out discs at L4 and L5, which caused sciatica pain. I hurt real bad down my left leg. I hurt worse after getting up in the morning.It felt like a pulled hamstring.

Ortho visit

ezra — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 07:01:56 -0700

Well I was finally able to get into Ortho. Thanks to them not explaining things fully before I was fully taken by surprise by the full results of my MRI.
L1-l2 has Mild degenerative facet hyertropy and DDD
L2-L3 Mild degenerative facet hyertropy and ligamentum flavum redundancy... I don't know what that second part means. Also Mild central stenosis
L3-L4 is the same as L2-L3
L4-L5 is prominent central disc herniation. With DFH and mild cenral stenosis and narrowing of the right lateral recess

new to back pain - please help!

sam1983 — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 03:10:53 -0700

I'm 26 years old and was in pretty good shape until i herniated a disk in my lower back about a month ago. I've been to the hospital emergency room 2 times and all they did for me was prescribe 20 5mg oxy's which only lasted for a couple of days. I ran out of the medication and was still in severe pain. I am unable to sit for more than 5 mins at a time before I have to lay on the floor flat on my back - the only position I am comfortable in. I went to the hospital a second time and they gave me the same prescription and told me that i should feel better within a couple of weeks.

I'm ruined... spinal diseases and Chronic pain won!!!!!!

ToYoungforThis — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 22:22:16 -0700

I have not logged on to Spine Health much threw my last few surgeries. Can't remember the last time I even posted anything. The truth of the matter is I am a complete MESS. I am in the middle of recovering from my March 26th lumbar surgery hardware removal and some minor repairs.

Been feeling lousy with a UTI...

TTLC — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 00:02:30 -0700

Hello to everyone...

I have been having a rough week and I sure miss posting on here. There are so many people I want to write to on these hew posts I have been viewing... but, I'm just too tired and sore right now. I will be much better soon and I'm anxious for that day. I miss you all bunches!

wake up crying in pain

straker — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 23:01:59 -0700

hi everyone

Helping people with living with pain as myself

Expainyourself — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:24:23 -0700

Please go here to follow my blog helping people who live with pain everyday such as myself http://expainyourself.blogspot.com/

Still in Pain

WierdBackPain — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:38:08 -0700

Hi, I am back to see if anyone has failed diskectomy of L5-S1 that resulted in pain one day and tightness the next day. I have tried nerve blocks or epidurals 6 times; two different pain clinics and meds such as Ultram, Gabapentin, Zolpidem, and recently morphine. Nothing is helping to relieve the pain which worsens around 3PM-10PM. I have to take sleeping pill and muscle relaxers to get any sleep. The pain and tightness are both on the left side with the tightness painful from the butt thru the inside all the way up to my neck. It feels like being hung by a rope that tears the muscles.

Another Problem Updated-New Problem

iowarobin — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 08:10:20 -0700

Well I had 22 IV treatments and now am on double dose oral antibiotics for pnuemonia. It is getting better. I had Ortho 6 week ck up yesterday and everything there is ok. He said that basically it is healing slowly and it will probably take a year. He said the pnuemonia put me back a month, but I just need to start walking and can go to pool and walk and use arms in the water. Then July 15, my next visit, I might be able to start regular PT. So all is going ok, just tired. Want to be all better now,

leg pain and numbness when lying down

terror8396 — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 08:27:00 -0700

after numerous surgeries and fusions, i have a new problem. when i go to bed or lie on couch, my right leg will go to sleep and i will get pain from the back down to the hip on the right side also it is so bad it wakes me up at night and my leg is so numb, i can't move it. i have to shake leg for about 10 minutes then it will get feeling back. my leg really hurts and it continues until the day time. i will call ortho today to get feedback and maybe an injection but this just started and it has been about a year since my last fusion
jon

Does anyone have two implanted spinal cord Stimulators (SCS)

mcarr36 — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 08:20:56 -0700

Hi Everyone,
I have been suffering for almost 5 years with neck,shoulder and head pain. I currently have an SCS that covers my arm pain and I am going to have another SCS implanted for head pain. Does anyone have two permanent systems? If so,please tell me about your experience.

Thank you!

Melissa

Pain worsening

ChronicPain1 — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 00:33:15 -0700

I've always had left side pain, from my head to my arm...but now I'm worried. The right side of my body is usually pain free, but now my right shoulder is hurting and that's exactly how my left side started.

My job doesn't help, working at a desk but I don't have much of a choice.

finally some light at the end . . .

rb23nc — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 07:02:18 -0700

Hi guys. I've posted before about the hopelessness I felt dealing with back pain and having no insurance. I have always had upper back pain, since a car accident years ago, but in the last 6 months, my lower back, legs and middle back have been HORRIBLY hurting. My doctor would not prescribe an MRI because i don't have insurance. I really didn't think it was his job to worry about MY bills, but whatever. So I've been looking for a new doctor to help me. I am in New Castle, PA. Called approx. 25 docs all of whom are not taking new patients when they hear i don't have insurance.

A question for those of you who has a permanent ANS implant

patwhite101 — Sun, 31 May 2009 19:49:10 -0700

I am getting my permanent ANS implant Thursday..the 4th.
And I was wondering how long you had to wait to have yours turned on after the permanent implant.
I am getting the tiny generator that you recharge.
The leads will be placed in about the middle of my back to cover my lower back and my legs. I suffer from Neuropathy and the pain in my feet and legs is so savage that pain meds do not do much good.
I think that all brands of the "stimulator" are about alike when it comes to turning it on after the permanent implant but I was just wondering,

Numbness starting to worry me

WhymeA — Sun, 31 May 2009 11:53:23 -0700

I had my CT/Myelo for my lumbar and cervical spine last Wednesday . I came home and went to bed, but when I woke up later that day, I noticed EXTREME, rubbery feeling numbness on the outside of my left hip joint. I thought it may have been an effect of the dye injection, so I waited until Thursday, and called my NS, whose assistant told me it was probably nothing to worry about, but if it continued next week, talk to the NS about it during my follow up next Wed.

20 year old athlete with l5 s1 herination for 2 years plz help

tdmarz22 — Sun, 31 May 2009 00:11:53 -0700

Ok I firstly would like to state im a very active physically and socially person and im currently at home on a saturday night cause of the pain that is caused when I stand for too long or sit for too long or do just about anything. with that here is my story

Rediculous 3 laps in a small pool and my back is killing me

MaggieP — Sat, 30 May 2009 23:08:39 -0700

It was 95* here today. So I went to the pool at my Condo. It's small, but feels so wonderful. At the end of last summer I could swim 10-12 laps without getting sore, just tired. I swam 3 laps today, was exhausted, my neck and shoulders hurt, and now my lower back and legs are screaming ouch Swimming is the only exercise I can do. Does anyone know how fast stenosis progresses?

Those battling arachnoiditis

buckeyeback — Fri, 29 May 2009 20:11:11 -0700

Interesting link regarding one persons treatment plan. Maybe it could help....

http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:zfGGS3q2W9MJ:www.lifewitharachnoidit...

herniated/ruptured disc in lumbar, thoracic and cervical area.. how to deal!?!?!

tickledatu — Fri, 29 May 2009 19:54:37 -0700

anyone else have disc herniations/ruptures in all areas? I'm so sick of hearing "why dont you have a surgery or blah blah" what people dont understand is when you have a problem in each back area, such as myself, you cant just go have surgery to fix it. And, man, I'm so tired of hurting all the time. I guess I'm just having a bad few days, I usually deal with it pretty well. Just wondering if anyone else is going through the same.

Alcohol withdrawal and chronic pain

mars — Fri, 29 May 2009 19:39:28 -0700

Has any one had issues with Alcohol withdrawal and chronic pain??? MY pain is unreal right now. Im trying to cope has hard as i can with out losing my mind, im used to pain but this is over the top pain.

Some info about me:

"Preservation of lumbar lordosis

L4-L5 focal central disk herniation moderately deforms the thecal sack.

L5-S1 central disk herniation with extrusion centrally and inferiorly.
Results in moderate thecal sac compression."

Could some one help me better understand that? I have lived in fear of losing B/B functions.

new here

tinker43 — Fri, 29 May 2009 18:32:49 -0700

Hello!

Question about placement of TENS electrodes.

Brihtwulf — Thu, 28 May 2009 13:17:16 -0700

So, I was finally given my TENS unit today (after some confusion with the insurance company). After my instructions and also reading up a great deal on their use, there seem to be a number of ways to place the electrodes. What I would like to get is an opinion on optimal use of the unit with my condition.

I have lower back pain in the area of my L5-S1. Had a previous discectomy there and I have narrowing in both lateral foramina and some edema in the area as well. The majority of the pain is centered very slightly to the right side of my spine, right at that joint.

How long did you "Lurk"

j.howie — Thu, 28 May 2009 13:11:32 -0700

before going in and logging into spine health? And why did you Wait?
Jim

Why does the CT/Myelo dye cause so much pain?

WhymeA — Thu, 28 May 2009 08:13:24 -0700

After my first lumbar CT/Myelo, I decided the pain must be from the added material in the spinal fluid. Yesterday, though, I had one done lumbar AND cervical. They put the dye in, my hips and legs had crazy pain (same as last time), but nothing in cervical. THEN they tipped me toward my head, and suddenly my neck and shoulders had crazy pain!

My only conclusion is that it must be the dye?

flare up

straker — Wed, 27 May 2009 05:03:55 -0700

hi all
as i lay here full of pain killers with the acticare throbbing away on my lumber region feeling very sorry for myself .i got to wondering why do we have bad back ache flare ups ..do any of you know ?? i am in agony and i feel ill just standing up is agony {last week i was swimming and nearly having a nice life again almost enjoying myself even!!}but this week even on my 11th wedding anniversary i had to spend it on my recliner! not good ..i just hope that is goes away soon ..
STRAKER

Chronic back pain with numb foot

tracybet — Tue, 26 May 2009 10:16:11 -0700

Hello I am new to this site but I really need some help.

Had an injection in back. Site still hurts after 3 days and seem to have increased pain in one location.

Brihtwulf — Sun, 24 May 2009 20:11:57 -0700

Hey everyone,

I have a few questions that someone who has had injections in their spinal region might know answers to. I had some injections on thursday afternoon. They did a selective nerve block on the right side in the area of my L5-S1 disc. I've had a number problems in that area, with severe pain in the center of my spine, pain at the top of both sides of my buttocks, and also down the back of my right leg.

Some Lower Pain Coming Back + More

harmon25 — Sun, 24 May 2009 18:44:16 -0700

I'm 21 year old male have a slightly herniated disc in l4-l5 and dont exercise as much as I should so my back is always a little stiff. I felt some pain in my back and looked for the location and it seems to be right on my spinal bone, middle of the back very low, maybe 6 inches or less above my butt. When i run my hand over it i feel the little bumps in my spinal bone, but then over one part which, hurts after pushing it on is some sort of tissue/bump I really cant tell. Could it be tissue there or could it be a bump?

Norco for pain

medic47 — Sat, 23 May 2009 20:20:39 -0700

I have pain in my lower back and right leg pain from a fall I had 4 months ago. I was DX'd with L4-5 disk rupture and severe arthritis. The fall set all the pain in action.
I did 6 days in the Hospital and have been on Norco every since. My question is: The pain is slowly creeping up on my pain scale in the last month and I'm afraid to get a stronger med. I'm allergic to aspirin,motrin, all the NSAIDS. these would really help me but I get bronchial spasms when I take them.

Hey all New here with questions

ulyssia — Sat, 23 May 2009 16:37:09 -0700

I am a 23 yr old female(about to be 24), mother of 2 with chronic lower back pain. I have had pain ever since i can remember, when I was younger I always felt like my back needed to be adjusted or cracked, so I cracked it a lot myself. Yes I know not good but it was the only thing that relieved pain(until it would come back of course) I have fallen numerous times, especially on my tail bone where it took my breath away. Other than that no accidents until recently. A year ago is when it really started getting bad.

Hello All

Humble_Pie — Thu, 21 May 2009 09:24:05 -0700

Newbie here. Although I haven't posted here yet, I have received tremendous amouts of information, support, and strength from these forums so I wanted to give a big Thanks to everyone.

I have had 2 fusions on my neck in the past 2 years.

C4-C5 Fused
C6-C7 Fused

Probably be getting C5-C6 this year.

Severe Narrowing at C4-C5
Disk Bulge at C4-C5

Moderate - Severe Bilateral Stenoses C3-C4, C5-C6
Disk at C4-C5

Moderate - Severe Bilateral Stenosis at L4-L5, L5-S1
Large Bulge L4-L5

Just had Rizotomy on right side at L4-L5 L5-S1

What Feels Good?

bluebeegirl — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:58:04 -0700

So we talk about what hurts us... what causes pain or makes it worse. We talk about what we've done to manage our pain...

... what feels good? Is there something you do that just feels divine?

For me, it is usually heat. Heating pads are okay. Hot water beating on my back is better. Heat-stim at the PT... that I miss. That felt fantastic. (Can't afford a home TENS unit at the moment. Maybe in a few months.)

A Letter I found in a Forum..re;people who misunderstand back pain

sbsherbear — Wed, 20 May 2009 12:31:10 -0700

TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY :

I look normal. Don't let my outward appearance fool you; I am in pain. I am not the same person I was a year ago, or 2 years ago, or 4, depending on when it last was you saw me. I look healthy. I am not.

Do you know what caused your pain?

Cath111 — Wed, 20 May 2009 10:49:14 -0700

I ask this question because I just figured mine out (well, one aspect, anyway).

Last Saturday: I bit the bullet and played 9 holes of golf for the first time since last summer when I started having problems associated with my cervical spine issues. It went great - first two holes I could tell I hadn't played in a while, then my game started to get back to the semi-crappy game I've always had.

New Intense Pain - Please help!!!

jhawker23 — Tue, 19 May 2009 23:48:59 -0700

I have Spondilothesis, the shooting leg pain, etc. I've lived with it a long time, this is something entirely different.

Due to the problem above, I am no stranger to muscle spasms. Something new is happening and it is so intense!!

Re: No discussions or questions from close friends

jarhead_79 — Tue, 19 May 2009 19:55:32 -0700

I have Adhesive Arachnoidits of the lumbosacral spine, had a 4 level fusion, 4 level laminectomy, synovial cyst removal and multiple never impingents from 9 herniated discs, spondylosis, severe stenosis, Facet Disease. During surgery I had rods, pedicles, and screws placed at the Lumbar Level. Osteophytes were discovered throught thew spine. My arachnoiditis was discoved in a contast/no contrast MRI 3 months post surgery. I also has a total wrist fusion with hardware placemnent and then sunsequently developed RSD aka CRPS in the left hand and arm.

Tense muscles

sunny1966 — Tue, 19 May 2009 16:53:32 -0700

I can't relax when I go to bed. I have to keep telling myself to relax. It's just like all of my muscles are tightening up. I take Norflex twice a day and tramadol about seven or eight a day. Do any of you have this problem?
Debbie

Suboxone?

WhymeA — Tue, 19 May 2009 15:36:00 -0700

I am to start this in a few days. My PM says that if my pain is due to failed pain receptors (or some such thing), that using this, I will still be in pain, so I will know that my pain is "real", anyone have any experience with this? I have been on pain meds off and on for 10 years, but never had a huge problem getting off, so I'm wondering if this whole thing is a sham. I understand that Suboxone is used as pain reliever in other countries, but in the U.S. has only been approved as a way to withdraw from opioids. (another reason I'm confused).

Pain all over! Pinced nerve(s)

dupont — Tue, 19 May 2009 12:49:30 -0700

I am a 24 year old female. I began having pain on the right side of my body when I was about 7 years old. The pain is all in my right side. I have pain in my ribs (which is the worse), arm, wrist and my neck.

I went to many doctors in my life, and all of them thought I was trying to get attention because they could never find out what the problem was. Thank God for the internet, because I now know that I am not crazy and that it is all because of something gone wrong in my back.

sever thoracic pain w spasms! HELP

jocass7 — Tue, 19 May 2009 11:03:31 -0700

Hello,
For over 2 years now I have sever thoracic pain with unlivable spasms. I have 2 blown cervical discs that I receive epidurals for. My pain management Dr. has tried epi's for the thoracic pain w/o relief. What is going on. This pain is horrible, they say they see nothing on the MRI. The pain is gripping then the nerves feel like there freaking out.
Nothing helps.Meds ease the pain but, who wants to live this way CONSTANTLY in pain. Does anybody have any ideas.
Thanks,
J

neck pain interfering with my life

Khoffman1701 — Mon, 18 May 2009 19:27:43 -0700

I just found this site and thought maybe someone would have advice for me. Last year I was at home and I stretched, nothing fancy, I tilted my head to the side and my neck popped. By the end of the night I felt like I had an ice pick in my head at the base of my skull. I went to the ER because it was making me sick too. Its gotten a little better but by the end of the night I feel nauseous and my head hurts so bad I can't do anything. How can I keep living like this?

Hey everyone im back!

ChronicPain20 — Mon, 18 May 2009 07:27:54 -0700

Hey everyone its been a while since ive posted. Ive been with the same doc for about 5 months now. I am doing ok i am on 50mch fentanyl patches i get 10 a month. I am still in a little pain but i can handle most of it. Only thing i can complain about is having trouble sleeping and a lot of breakthrough pain i havent talked to my doctor about it yet. Any suggestions, ive been controlling the sleep with a little bit of alchohal a night but i tend to just get the 4 hours a night, and help would be greatly appreciated .

Advice on good shoes for killer back pain???

Mon, 18 May 2009 07:05:32 -0700

Hey all,

Since I started my desk job 5 weeks post-ACDF, my back has been killing me when I walk or sit on a hard surface. I have to carry a cushion around with me just in case. Anyhoo, I've been having bad back pain from the bottom of my shoulder blades down.

I am flat footed and have just been wearing these cheap shoes I love forever. Only problem is they offer no support. I have some other "name brand" shoes, but therapist I ran into this weekend, things I may need orthotics.

pain is my friend

terror8396 — Mon, 18 May 2009 07:05:17 -0700

it makes me sad when i read all of the posts of people who suffer from chronic pain. years and years of pain which affect our relationships and our jobs and our pleasure of life. i don't know if it has been so long with pain but my pain is like a friend now, not a good friend, but one who is there and lets me know he is with me. he is a friend because i guess i got used to it. it is there, but it is in the back of my mind. i don't let my friend rule my life. if he wants to shadow me and follow me that is fine but he walks about a block behind me now and not 2 feet behind me like 10 years ago.

tens

kimmeam — Mon, 18 May 2009 06:18:29 -0700

I think I might want to try a tens unit. I remember having something like that while I was in P/T. It felt good with the heat. Unfortuneatly the pain came back as soon as it was done. Maybe I can use it for some relief? Some relief is better than none. I just don't know where to buy or which to buy. Any suggestions?

HMO or PPO?

jmichelle — Mon, 18 May 2009 02:22:50 -0700

My husband just got hired full time. Since he wont be a contract worker anymore...I will have insurance!!!
It kinda sucks that its through Cigna (I have heard Cigna is a bunch of buttheads when it comes to approving anything)

Have you taken Methadone for CP? Need help/advice - thank you

Jessa — Sun, 17 May 2009 23:33:48 -0700

Hi,

I'm new here and will introduce myself soon. I'm under time pressure right now because I am interviewing for jobs and my current pain meds (patch) aren't working well. I know I can't work at my current pain level. My doctor may want to switch me to methadone.

My Situation.Your Help & Advice.

In-My-Dreams — Sun, 17 May 2009 11:45:42 -0700

I'm not sure where to start, but I'll try to explain my problem as best as I can. I have chronic pain due to two different and seperate problems. I am almost 45 years old, and a female. I have had lower back problems over the course of my life, but they were usually brought about by lifting something wrong, and it would cause severe muscle spasms, but would go away with rest, etc.. I started seeing chiropractors in my early twenties, and would use them, as needed for occasional adjustments. Also, my Father had lower back problems, so I just assumed that maybe it was hereditary?

Update from the new doctor situation

janetatum — Fri, 15 May 2009 20:05:55 -0700

This week has been a long siege of a CT, a myelogram and also a nerve conduction study. The opinion of the new doctor is that I should have no further back surgery. The problem with the numbness in my arms is thought to be from ulnar compression syndrome of all things. I have to see the doctor in this group whose interest is arms. That is strange to me; I only had one orthopedic surgeon up until now. This stuff is going to be dealt with in phases.

I'M SCARED AND CONFUSSED

tired.of.the. pain — Fri, 15 May 2009 20:01:58 -0700

I need to vent. I'm so frustrated and confussed, about what to do for myself. I joined this site last night, and I'm greatful to find all of the information, and such careing people that are here.
I have such pain, mostly in my lower back. I have a herniated disk, 4 buldging disks, Osteoporosis, Scoliosis, pain that goes down my leg, Fibromyalgia, and whatever else that I just can't think of right now, (major brain fog!)

people who cant have surgery

lorao — Fri, 15 May 2009 19:36:08 -0700

I have always have had back pain. last year it started to get worse with pain in left leg to foot had an mri, and a discogram noted in my sig. i was told there is nothing they could do for me and gave me no other information i was so upset i cryed the hole way home. afted the discagram i was told i needed surgery. went to the surgeon said he would not do surgery because it would have to be a multi level fusion and it was to risky. so now i do not know where i stand , i have had pt many times with with no relief.

any advice appreciated beyond imagining--18 yrs..

livewiremax2 — Fri, 15 May 2009 17:29:40 -0700

Hello everyone,

Finally

jojomuffintoe — Fri, 15 May 2009 16:50:05 -0700

My wife is going for her MRI and hand x-rays on Tuesday, it has been a long road to get to this point with her.

HELP/Arm Pain issues

Laurie Ann — Thu, 14 May 2009 13:51:56 -0700

Before my Cervical Surgery and Lumbar surgery I had pain in my right arm. I did have a test done and they determined I have nerve damage in that arm. Since surgery my arm has gotten worse. I am on Vicodin, Neurontin, Flexeril and Relafen. Its not helping with the arm pain, not sure what to do, the pain specialist checked my arm and said its gotten weaker are there any treatments that may help that anyone could recommend?

Pain is getting old

tb7108 — Thu, 14 May 2009 09:13:03 -0700

I have been dealing with chronic back pain for the last 15 years I am 43 years old and have had 2 surgery's .

Why the devil am I weeping??

patwhite101 — Wed, 13 May 2009 13:24:48 -0700

Why the devil am I sitting here weeping??
Yes, my foot and leg pain is the worse as it has ever been today.
I am not depressed. I went through a very bad spell of depression severl years ago when i was married to a very abusive man so I know what depression is.( I knew he was going to kill me,I just did not know what day it was going to be)So I know what depression is.
The girl that cleans for me one day a week was here today and my house is sparkling clean. Clean sheets are on my bed, pillows plumped.

Help with pain medication please

adam3iverson — Wed, 13 May 2009 06:38:37 -0700

My name is adam, i am 22 years old and suffer cronic pain in my neck as i broke it in 2004(c3,c4,and c5) with a H-Plate insert. i have since then been taking tramadol to help relieve the pain and zoplicone to assist with my sleeping problems. as the years have passed, my pain has only gotten worse and i am looking for suggestions on possible alternative medicines/solutions to help relieve my pain and improve my lifestyle. i have no problems taking tramadol, but it is not relieving my pain very well.

Single class drug test

jojomuffintoe — Tue, 12 May 2009 14:18:36 -0700

Hello!

My doctor gave me a drug test at my last prescription pick up, and I was alittle confused on the price. I have no health insurance and pay out of pocket for all my treatment
The drug test my doctor gives me every month is $110.00 but this last one was $330.00, WOW! What type pf drug test is this that would cost so much. I know it said on the bill "single class" drug test. I am putting myself through college and have trouble affording the $110.00 test.

Does anyone have any knowledge of this single class drug test and what it would be for?

Hypermobility?

jasro — Tue, 12 May 2009 13:43:40 -0700

Once again, I woke up gasping from pain this morning. But I finally figured out a good description of it and wanted to find someone here who could advise me.

When I was in physical therapy two years ago, the therapist asked me to lie on my stomach then prop myself up on my elbows. (Like kids do when lying on the floor watching tv) After about 60 seconds in that position...my entire spine was screaming. (I assume he wanted me to be in that position to 'open up' discs.)

bone and joint pain

ezra — Mon, 11 May 2009 13:31:29 -0700

I have DDD and L4/5 disk herniation. I have started having a lot of pain that feels like it is in the bone. I don't know if this is related or not. It is in my right knee, r foot, r hip (may be pregnancy related). My left wrist and the finger joints are also causing me pain. It is mostly the pain in my leg that is causing me the problems. Mostly I don't know what to do. I haven't gotten an appointment with Ortho yet, I am waiting on my insurance to okay it. Does anyone know if this could be related to my back or am I just lucky enough to have new unrelated problems present?

Wrene A Broken Angel

wrene a broken angel — Mon, 11 May 2009 13:15:02 -0700

Fellow friends in pain, this is my first post. I suffer from a broken talus (ankle) and a ruptured L-5 received in a fatality auto accident 9/05/02. Physically, recovery for me is to walk with a pain level of 6. I'm being treated by a pain mgt. clinic with MSContin and Norco for break thru pain. These drugs cause depression, so I'm also given Lexepro an anti-depressent.

What to do when Doctors says too young to help??

tooyoungtohurt — Mon, 11 May 2009 09:11:58 -0700

Hello All:

Good News - Alittle Hope

wingnut4 — Mon, 11 May 2009 07:44:42 -0700

I was going to put this in the good news section but then I thought alot of people wouldnt look there!

I just want to tell alittle about my story. 2 years ago I took ill with a bad back, extreme pain with lots of medication and fatigue, tiredness, all the usual stuff people get. It was very hard for me, with not gettting any support from my family, friends, I found it hard to cope. I was however very lucky to have my boyfriend and his family.

Over a year and a half later with having to postpone my degree and having depression, things were tough.

Alternative Pain Medication

adam3iverson — Mon, 11 May 2009 00:16:17 -0700

My name is adam, i am 22 years old and suffer quite alot of pain in my neck as i broke it in 2004(c3,c4,and c5) with a H-Plate insert. i have since then been taking tramadol to help relieve the pain and zoplicone to assist with my sleeping problems. as the years have passed, my pain has only gotten worse and i am looking for suggestions on possible alternative medicines/solutions to help relieve my pain and improve my lifestyle. i have no problems taking tramadol, but it is not relieving my pain very well.

Sometimes it's not just the physical pain

Cath111 — Sun, 10 May 2009 21:26:11 -0700

Sometimes I feel like it's not just the physical pain that's breaking me down but the emotional pain. I don't mean the emotional pain caused by chronic pain, I mean things outside of our physical pain that makes our CP worse.

I hope I'm making sense, but those of you who know me, know that I recently lost my little doggie sole mate. I have a new puppy, but xome days the loss of my little buddy still hits me like a ton of bricks. It physically makes me hurt more when I think how he's not here anymore. I love our new little guy, but nothing will take the place of my buddy.

Anyone Use Lyrica For Nerve Pain?

Jwriter — Sun, 10 May 2009 19:52:57 -0700

I'm a 46 year-old DDD patient that's recently been prescribed Lyrica (50mg X 2 daily) by my PM Doc for unrelenting nerve pain due to a severe C6/C7 disc herniation. In the next couple of days, I will be scheduling an ACDF at that level with an Ortho-Surgeon that specializes in spinal work...as referred to by my PM Doc.

Recurring upper back pain

Ehollenbaugh — Sun, 10 May 2009 10:13:01 -0700

Let me start out by saying that I'm 33, and consider myself too young to NOT be able to participate in physical activity without experiencing pain/discomfort for days or even weeks. This has been going on for at least three years. The simplest activity of any nature can reaggravate the problem. I do not recall any specific incident when my pain started. I just slowly became unable to complete my 30-60min non-competitive weight-lifting routines without experiencing at least some discomfort in or around the lower half of my right trapezius.

Need advice

amyorainbow — Sat, 09 May 2009 11:40:58 -0700

I'm not really sure where to start here. I'm a 34 year old female with a long history of back problems. When I was in the 7th grade I fell down a flight of stairs on my butt and had to have xrays to be sure I didn't break something. Instead we found that I have a form of Spina Bifida. From that point onwards I have had problems with my back going out on me. There have been numerous times when it hurt so bad that I couldn't walk. Sharp pains would shoot down my legs and they would go limp on me. I ended up walking with a cane or even a walker. About 2 years ago, my back when out again.

Need advice

amyorainbow — Sat, 09 May 2009 11:40:52 -0700

Does weather REALLY effect our condition...

Vicky ODonnell — Sat, 09 May 2009 10:25:57 -0700

YES!
I thank GOD I came upon this site. Although very sad, it is a relief to know that "it is just not me" .
I am a human baramoter...Every day it is something new and more depressing.
We can only hope and pray that one day there may be a way to become pain free. a miralce within itself.

INTOLERANCE TO PAIN MEDS

DegenerativeShelly — Sat, 09 May 2009 00:15:01 -0700

Hi everyone...Ive been on and off Tramal Slow Release for the past 4 years at the max dose of 600mg per day and it now has no effect on me...Cant take Pethadine cause it causes me to go into Anaphylaxis Shock and dont want to be on Morphine as it makes me depressed...

Im now on patches of Norspan which you change each week..Basically, this and Morphone, Fentinel and Ketamin are all thats left for me as Ive had these before..

Can anyone suggest anything else before the pain sends me completely round the bend....???I live in Australia...

2 months post S1-L5 fusion with bone graft

crashh — Fri, 08 May 2009 04:52:38 -0700

Hello everyone. Its me again. I hope everyone is doing well. Man has it been a long road for me. Unfortunatly to no avail so far. I had my second back surgery on 3.6.09 my first was a diskectomy in aug of 08. Turns out I was told that the first surgeon messed me up,did not have credentials to operate in my state so he had to write everything off for 2008... yes I know I gonna sue his ass. The main reason I am here today folks is as usual... "chronic pain" I still can hardly walk seems to be getting worse everyday. The bulk of pain is still in my legs .

How do you manage

patwhite101 — Thu, 07 May 2009 15:03:26 -0700

I have been going through a really rough patch since they pulled the wires on my SCS trial. Is this normal for everyone who is waiting for the permanent implant?
I am having problems preparing even the most simple meal for myself because all my pain is in my feet and legs. Walking or standing is pure he*^!!
I am wondering if the rest of you have the same problem preparing meals for yourself or your family.

suboxone-- Doctor in Los Angeles?

mleland — Thu, 07 May 2009 14:06:22 -0700

Hi everyone,
from what I have read, suboxone sounds like a medication worth trying. However, I can't find a doctor in the Los Angeles area who takes my insurance that will prescribe it. Does anyone know of a physician who is familiar with/prescribes suboxone?

thank you!
Moselle

Scar Tissue following surgery

gmcgee — Thu, 07 May 2009 10:59:49 -0700

Hi all,
I am new to the site, and have a few questions. First technical....how do you guys place your meds at the bottom of your posts??
Now to the nitty gritty. Has anyone been diagnosed with scar tissue following a fusion? If so, what is being done for you? MY PM, told me there is not much that can be done....just suffer or take pain meds.

trouble walking

terror8396 — Thu, 07 May 2009 06:29:02 -0700

it has been 1 year since my last fusion and 2 years since i had a laminectomy on that disc and 7 years since my other fusions. after my first fusion and my laminectomy i never had trouble walking. after my last fusion, i can't even walk 100yds without having to sit or rest. the pain is across the lower back and down both legs to the lower buttock region. i use a cane but it doesn't help. i went to my ortho yesterday but after an hour he finally saw me then he did x-rays and then i waited another 45 minutes so after almost 2 hours, i left because i could not or would not wait.

can anyone relate to this MRI pic

no sleep — Thu, 07 May 2009 00:08:41 -0700

below is image of my spine CT looks a bit bendy to me this is after motorbike accedent having trouble getting treatment

Poll: What do you do when you can't sleep because of the pain?

Danimal — Wed, 06 May 2009 23:36:58 -0700

Well, I'm up at 2:35 am, unable to sleep. Partly because of the pain and partly because of this stupid morphine itch. But I am so tired and want to sleep!!!!

It got me wondering..what do you all do when you can't sleep because you're in pain? Watch tv? Come here on the computer? Read? Eat??

Sleepy Danimal

Will it ever end??

dlmat — Wed, 06 May 2009 20:12:19 -0700

Hi everyone!

Groin Pain

Chronic Pain — Wed, 06 May 2009 20:09:19 -0700

I've been dealing with groin pain for almost 5 years and doctors have called me a mystery. My pain came on out of no where...it is VERY sensative to touch and the area & my thigh will go numb when I sit to long. The pain for me is more annoying than anything else. It's a constant stabbing pain. After 2 years of dealing with my groin pain (see signature for treatment details), my lower back began to ache. I have been diagnosed with a tear in my L5 and am considering ADR. Mean while my groin pain remains a mystery and has not improved.

Hi, I'm glad to have found you!

Rozee — Wed, 06 May 2009 12:50:52 -0700

Hi, my name is Rose,
I think being here will be beneficial for me. I have had four lower back surgeries and the one neck fusion at three levels which is not coming along as well as expected.

hardware removal

wbrigode — Wed, 06 May 2009 12:07:55 -0700

I had a 9 level fusion with 2 16 inch rods and 22 screws. I am in hell all the time. desperate to communicate with those that have had a large amount of hardware removed. Need to hear some success stories . )

Which Neuro-Stim: TENS or Interferential?

Brihtwulf — Wed, 06 May 2009 05:55:09 -0700

I'm going to be seeing my pain specialist on the 21st, and I will be discussing electro-stim options with him. I would like to know what the recommendations are in terms of which kind of machine would be better. I have heard good things from some of you so far on the Acticare TENS unit. Are there any thoughts/suggestions on the interferential stim units that are also available? Are one of these more effective or considered a better option for one reason or another?

When do you consider yourself in chronic pain?

Cath111 — Tue, 05 May 2009 19:58:23 -0700

I have never considered myself in chronic pain since my cervical spine issues started last May. Of course, I've had the pre-surgical pain that led to surgery last October and the residual surgical pain since, but I've only started having what I would consider sporatic but severe sciatic pain in the last few months or so. I know there are those of you who know this pain - it kills my lower back, left hip and shooting pains down usually only my left leg, but now my right as well. It's very hard to sit on something that's not really soft, too. My tailbone hurts.

Doctors who act like we don't hurt

Disabled American Veteran — Tue, 05 May 2009 04:32:17 -0700

I guess this post is one everyone needs to consider and think about. How many posts have we read where the poster states "The doctor or nurse acts like I shouldn't be hurting" I think we need to 1st get ourselves into the right frame of mind here. It's us that give them this thinking. The lack of evidence at hand or our failed attempts at getting ourselves in the best possbile position to say "Hey a minute doc" How is this possible? Easy

1. Keep a daily log with:
Date: Time: Pain level: Activity: Note: Layed down 1/2hr

L3-S1 fusion 15 months post and still having pain CT scan ordered

martyjo — Mon, 04 May 2009 20:06:10 -0700

Hi, Boy oh boy, I sure wish I could get some of the medications that I see on this forum. I saw my Ortho Doc today and he again said maybe it's the hardware. I'm having a CT scan to see what's happening in the fusion sites. What really makes me mad is that he pretty much summed me up before he walked in the door. That mad me mad and I told him that I what I thought. I also said that I wanted a different muscle relaxer. I was on Robaxin 2 a day but they were God awful to swallow and the aftertaste made me gag. So, now I'm on Skelaxin.

2nd failed scs trial

sj — Mon, 04 May 2009 15:15:36 -0700

Hello there everybody,
This is the 1st time I have been on this site, and I can't wait to get in touch with other chronic pain suffers.
My history is: Aged 18, I broke my back in 4 places after a

Pain Doctor DFW

jmichelle — Mon, 04 May 2009 14:42:40 -0700

I have scoliosis, ddd, disc bulges, tears etc in my back. I am without insurance. Does anyone know of a decent pain clinic in or around dfw that wont cost me a fortune to get some relief? I would also like deep tissue massage as well.

Thanks
Jackie

S1 neuropathy - central (very painful!!)

scared_of_pain — Mon, 04 May 2009 09:44:12 -0700

Hi to all

I went off to a persistant pain clinic and the neurologist (whom is now a professor of neurology) has told me that i suffer with neuropathy - sciatica from my damaged nerve.

I never thought they would put a title to my pain (but i guess we all think that) and i think ia m glad that i finally understand.

My nerve is damaged and further to my foot i have peroneal neuropathy too.

I am asking if there are others whom also suffer with this condition and especially feeling the intense pain 7 days a week??

It is horrific at times and absolutely draining and depressing!!

Do I need back surgery??

medic47 — Sat, 02 May 2009 23:33:09 -0700

I have chronic pain from an injury I sustained from a fall on the job. This injury happened 4 months ago and my Insurance company (Sedgwick claims) says I'm fine.
The Doctor that my Insurance company sent me to said I was ready to go back to work. : ( HE'S NUTS!!!!
I can't even take the trash out without suffering the rest of the day.
I now have a lawyer that is getting the job done right.

My fear is Un-needed surgery.
Here are my MRI photo's any help would be appreciated.

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

lower back pain

Donna20 — Sat, 02 May 2009 19:15:47 -0700

Hi there... i am looking for information and or opinions. I have had lower back pain for about 10yrs, but becuase I have a super high pain threshold never went to a dr. until the pain in my L thigh became unberable during walking and excersice. I had an xray and it showed and I quote from the dr. "there is degeration of the L4/L5 much more advanced than I would expect in someone your age" all of 45yr old. I am now on Celebrex, Morphine and sched for MRI next wed. my symptoms, chronic pain in the lower back, through my L hip and down my L leg to my knee.

post neuropathy

happyallthetime — Sat, 02 May 2009 19:02:05 -0700

Hi, I too have been dealing with Shingles pain for almost two years now, It took almost a year to figure out what was wrong with me. My pain first started in the back of my neck, I could hardley hold my neck up, then the pain started moving to the side of my neck it almost felt like i had a very painful swollen gland. I started out going to a ear nose and throat specialist, he didnt know what to do with me, had several ct scans done and mri's.

in Canada and in pain

Donna20 — Sat, 02 May 2009 17:12:00 -0700

Hi all, my name is Donna and I live in Saint John, New Brunswick Canada. I have a super high pain threshold which finally caused me to go to the ER. (though it was not an emergency but due to the Dr.shortage here in Canada,when you need to see a Dr. you have to go to the ER and wait for sometimes up to 5hrs)

PARTIAL SHOULDER REPLACEMENT BOTCHED

MaxS1 — Sat, 02 May 2009 11:50:30 -0700

I had a Partial Shoulder Replacement done October 2007, and the Prosthesis is not seating flushed on the Humerus and an anchor is protruding causing friction and impingement, exacerbating pain out of control. Incapacitating me with loss of range of motion. I have not been able to go back to work. I posted a video in Youtube Title EDITED To educate and inform as to what to do if you suffered an injury from an Orthopedic Surgery. I am trying to survive the best I can online. With an online store I am constructing at: www.EDITED

I have a Blogger on the shoulder also:

interesting

Sat, 02 May 2009 08:39:44 -0700

Pain medications are involved in more than 20 percent of deaths occurring in the years after spinal fusion surgery for low back pain, reports a study in the April 1 issue of Spine. The journal is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading provider of information and business intelligence for students, professionals, and institutions in medicine, nursing, allied health, pharmacy and the pharmaceutical industry.

ACTICARE high end TENS and external SCS

straker — Fri, 01 May 2009 23:40:12 -0700

i am posting this because i am always recommending it ..i want to say i have NO connection with the company and i am not trying to sell it on there behalf..the only reason i mention it is because i want my friends in pain to benefit from a very good device ..it is a hospital grade TENS and it also has high frequency modes and radio frequency and three modes that you can put directly on your spine ..as far as i know there is not another device like it .for a more comprehensive read see www.acticare.com

trouble sitting

Linda Carr — Fri, 01 May 2009 08:41:59 -0700

Hi, I have a lot of pain.. more of a burning sensation in my buttocks,, mostly sitting. I know I sit too much, but, I sit to work and it is becoming more and more difficult to sit though the day. Even an hr at a time. I use pads, but, it still burns. The burning is in the area where I sit. No back pain or issues that I am aware of.When I sit, I have placed my hand under this area , on a hard surface. I can feel the bone pushing against the skin, It is just under the skin. I am a heavy person, but, no fat on buttocks.

Goal: cope better

Complicated — Fri, 01 May 2009 05:03:53 -0700

Good morning. I'm not real sure what to say or ask. I suppose the most significant benefit I see to being part of this site's forum is to feel 'not alone'. It's been since early adolscence that I've been battling pain; I'm now 40. I feel as though I've tried everything and, while some things provide temporary reduction, nothing has ever allowed me even one minute of zero pain. So, I'm tired...very tired. There have been so many diagnosis over the years I've lost count; half of them I can't spell or pronounce anyway.

Please Help

brandwarren35 — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:29:12 -0700

My Mom has had neck problems for years. Her neck is so bad, it is changing the shape of her face according to her doctor. She is only 57. Being Self Employed with a Small business, she did not have health insurance. The bone in her foot broke for no reason and now her back is the problem. She has a buldging disc and one that is dried up. It has caused her so much pain for the past three weeks straight. She can only lay flat on her back. The disc has been hitting a nerve, causing her leg pain. My Mom is use to being in pain but this is leaving her feeling hopeless.

Newbe here but not to pain

Jon Klingenfus — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:21:15 -0700

My name is Jon Klingenfus Im 38 and have been suffering from back related injury and surgery failure for over 19yrs,I currently take morphine 10 times a day,and have been told that im classified as failed back "syndrome"post.When i show my MRI to DR.

new with strange question

WMO5778 — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:50:20 -0700

hello everyone

Chronic pain and anti depressants

j.howie — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:16:37 -0700

I've been on many different antidepressants and combinations over the last 6 years. They all served a purpose, but they all had unbearable side effects or made things worse.
Most recently I was on cymbalta and welbutrin for years. And the cymbalta had side effects that come on over time and get worse. You actually have to ween off slowly.
And My p.t. doc. said if I took prozac, it would help and that I might just like it.

Worsening back pain; already had surgery. What's next?

Brihtwulf — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:42:17 -0700

I've been a bit at my wit's end trying to figure out what to do about my severe and chronic lower back pain. I conjunction with my shoulders and right knee (which are less severe in terms of the pain), it's almost unbearable at times and while I appreciate the thoroughness of doctors, time drags on for me. Anyway, let me share with you the results of my most recent MRI, and a little history of that location.

pain pumps

quentin.35 — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 06:58:58 -0700

hello everyone. i,ve been diag. with fbss,after a disc removel at l5/s1,i was needing advice on the long term treatment, whether to stay on oral medications, or to try the pain pump. i,m scaired that life is over,and i,m not sure which way to go. any info would be helpful. thank you

"Nuclear" - Liquid Pain & Addiction

jasro — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 10:32:47 -0700

I keep experiencing episodes of pain that travels the course directly up my spine from my tailbone to just below my shoulder blades. It's not "bone pain" or mechanical pain - it's like an intense pressure w/ an irritating quality of 'pain' that feels "liquid" because it engulfs my spine but has no definitive boundaries. It feels as though I've been injected with chemicals. When these episodes occur, all of my muscles/ joints ache and my left sided headaches & facial pain grows more intense (suboccipital neuralgia).

back pain

claudia — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 07:41:04 -0700

good morning all, well up- date news not to good a little worried i had a reconstructive surgery jan 13, 09 but it seem noew the burning pain in my hip rite knww groin is back!!!i had L-4 L-5 s1 nov 21 06, and just had revision L-2 L-3 L-4 L-5 S-1 10 screws and rods , Sooo sad i started PT 3 txms already i feel worse after , trying not to give up, its like why did i have this 2nd one if i am going to be like this i still wear my brace and spime stim but it gets me soooo depressed am seeing a physicaoligst opps shes great, but the pain i got numbness on my rite shin left buttochs and my spine i

How do you deal with negative remarks from family?

TTLC — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 21:07:58 -0700

Do you ever find yourself wanting to scream, over some comments your family and friends make? I truly believe it's due to them not fully understanding the chronic pain we live with and how LONG it takes to recover. You provide them as much information as possible about your condition and what the doctors tell you... but with some, it just doesn't sink in!

Since 2004.. no diagnosis.. really?

Dré — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 20:41:00 -0700

Maybe I should have used my first post to introduce myself.. but I was totally excited when I stumbled upon this forum. My name is Dre, I live in south Riverside County in Southern California, I am a 32 year old male, I'm about 30-40 lbs overweight, mostly in my gut. I was otherwise fine until 2004. In 2004 I had just been promoted to marketing and sales after supervising a warehouse for 5 years. SERIOUS labor, lifting and working to the bone, I was always hurting myself.

Would love some advice for my husband

HeidiLynnM — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:18:18 -0700

Hello everyone! As some of you know, my husband also has back problems. He had a lumbar fusion in october '07. Needless to say, the fusion failed. He is in chronic pain daily. He has not left the house in about 3 days now. He is relying on his cane to walk around the house to get to anything.

I have Osteoarthritis & want to Apply for Dissability. Any Advice

unknownissue — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:17:38 -0700

Hello I have finally been diagnosed with Osteoarthritis or Arthritis in my Low Back or Facet Joints, my Pain is getting worse Daily and am thinking of Applying for Dissability, Has anyone here been Approved for Dissability with Osteoarthritis or Arthritis of the Facet Joints. I Welcome Any and all Info on your Advice or Personal Experience with Dissability. Thanks

Just one stupid day!

Wrambler — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 11:18:03 -0700

Is that so much to ask for? One day, when I can get through the day till the end of my workday? ONCE!

It's clockwork.
8:15 arrive
8:20 take 1 norco
11:00 it starts to wear off.
12:30 take norco
1:00 the pain is increasing instead of decreasing.
2:00 I am wriggling around trying to do anything to get comfortable.
3:45-4:15 I surrender the day and go home.
As soon as I walk in the door I take 2 norco, then four hours late 2 more and go to bed.

What now?

ldmobley — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 18:33:56 -0700

Hey there! Been awhile since I have been here but I feel I am back for the duration now.

Dr. John Sarno

bodhica — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 01:13:06 -0700

EDITED

Edited by moderator paulgla

Anyone heard from Zachback???

barney — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 19:12:03 -0700

I was keeping up with all of Zach's posts until I had surgery on 3/23/09 and now I haven't seen any posts from him or his wife. Just want to hear good news about all of his surgeries.

Barney

Tired of it all!

morepain — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:30:49 -0700

Hi Everyone:

My Vicious Cycle

maset22 — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:38:03 -0700

I would think that after three years of dealing with pain in different part of my spine I would have learned my lesson. Last week I did the right side lumbar RF. It seems like a miracle, I was boasting and walking with out a limp, How sweet it was. Now today one week later I am trying to pull the pain out of my lower back, I twists and turn and with no relief. My anxiety levels is getting high, And I am feeling this is the best it is going to get. Thanks for letting me vent. Dan

Taking the plunge no more...

jay911 — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 06:28:33 -0700

So I've had at least three episodes where I've lost my balance in the last week. Once I fell at work (my butt still hurts a little) and the other two I nearly fell at home. I've felt that I've had a balance problem for a while now, and I'm wondering if I should start thinking about getting a cane. I read Ming's recent post and I'm wondering what factors have caused others to take the plunge? Wait, maybe that's a wrong choice of words....

Can't take much more please help!

korten — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 19:35:47 -0700

Hi. My name is Nikki. Im 24 years old and have degenerative disc disease, and three bulging discs. L3,4,5-S1. I have had multiple steroid injections, facet joint injections, radiofrequency, acupuncture, chiropractic work and the Med-ex program. I have also met with two surgeons who tell me that I am too young for surgery. I have been in severe pain since august. Its everyday all day. Im having what they call a "flare-up" at the moment. My discs are pushing against my nerves and the pain is unbearable.

It is sad when you become transparent

j.howie — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 16:15:37 -0700

In sept. 08 I was P.M.ing A guy on this forum for a few mo. He told me of how he had become transparent to his grown children and all his relatives and friends too. Mostly because they couldn't stand to be around him because he was in constant pain. And they just did not know how to deal with it.
They were very sad for him. But rather than finding a way to help or to just be there for him. They stayed away and he felt he had no one.

PAI*N********

MRS JAN — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 13:26:32 -0700

all i can manage to say is this is the worst flare up i have had to date, i dont know where to put myself or wot to do . im scared to death this is going to get worse and i wont be able to go to work

how much can a body put up with??

straker — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 21:17:42 -0700

i was wondering {at 3am up again in horrible pain} just how much can a human put up with this relentless torturous regime of constant pain and lack of sleep and the constant barrage of toxic drugs.before something gives out .IE heart attack /stroke etc .i know that over the last 3 years my general health has gone down hill and like my friends on here .i too pick up communal illnesses very quickly .everything i try to do is an major effort .there was a time {even in pain .granted not as bad as it is now } where i could get up /shower /walk the dog /wash the car/go for a swim/go to walmart for f

Where am I and how did I get here, things were so good before.

Bob in the forest — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 20:04:29 -0700

Seems like it was just yesterday when everything was going great. Then I have an accident at work. My leg started dragging behind me as I walked. Pain, this pain was something so hard to block from my mind. I've grit my teeth so hard to put up with it that I've grounded down my teeth flat. The operation #1, at first i started crying as I woke up coming out of surgery saying to the nurses that I don't have that pain. This was promising. Not to learn to walk again and a 90 days in bed while I healed. Found that kissing my wife made me want to urinate. Brushing my teeth did the same.

remove hardware or not

morepain — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:18:53 -0700

I am so discouraged with doctors at this point - I am at my wits end! I have had 4 surgeries over the past 10 years. I am 40 years old and afraid i am going to end up disabled SOON!

a new outlook

KENTUCKYGIRL65 — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:19:04 -0700

Today I struggled to get out of bed, muscle spasms wracking my body so bad that I could not hardly walk and knowing that just one more time of calling into work :will my boss tell me no more?

tens unit

KENTUCKYGIRL65 — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 05:52:21 -0700

Hi does anyone here use a tens unit? I have used mine so much that I have sores on my back, if I dont use it I stiffen up so bad that my back starts into those awful spasms,and sometimes I am down for weeks .I had a microdiscectomy on L2-3 and I am so stiff and burn in my back I cant move. My tens doesnt have the gel stuff with it just the sticky pads..

Long time chronic pain sufferers

j.howie — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:33:40 -0700

I have been sick more often lately, over the last 3 or 4 years. When I was younger I never got sick, when I was forced to retire I had the maximum sick leave you could have on the books.
Now it seems I'm getting everything that goes around. I've been on pain meds, anti inflammatory meds and anti depressants for years. I wonder if that has anything to do with it. I eat healthy and take vitamins. I am getting older, (60) But I don't think that has anything to do with it. My wife thinks it's from being on meds for so long.
Good luck, Jim

RSD Questions

baseball2005 — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:44:45 -0700

Hi,

I was just diagnosised with RSD 4/8/09 in my left foot. The pain doc is ordering a caudal inj., sympathetic nerve block, and is going to use a catheter to break up scar tissue in my back that is wrapped around a nerve. I have done some research and have learned that RSD can go to my other limbs. I have also learned that lidoderm patches help(is this true)? I have also learned that acupuncture helps RSD(is this true to)? Any experience that anyone has with RSD is greatly appreciated or any information that anyone has. My foot is in terrible pain. Thanks.

Kate

New to this. Just looking for a little support.

Jessicacanz — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:46:01 -0700

I had back surgery in2003, went wrong. Fell down stairs in 2007 injured sacrcal iliac joints. plus,plus,plus.

Hip and Back pain?what to expect

rittimankathy — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:34:38 -0700

I have been dealing with chronic hip pain for over a year. Here is a brief history: diagnosed with hip bursitis, tried Mobic, Naprosyn, and Celebrex all with no improvement. Tried neurontin with some mild improvement.
Tried 6 weeks of physical therapy with no improvement. The hip pain is interferring with my sleep. My orthopedic doc decided back pain was causing hip pain.

What can I do today that I could not do yesterday

dilauro — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 10:11:05 -0700

Each day that goes by for a spinal patient that has
- Recovering from surgery
- Dealing with pre-surgery situations
- Handling things well after surgery means something.
means a lot.

There may not be a lot of strides, in fact many actions may seem so small and insignificant. But when we move forward, it is easy to appreciate the smaller things.

I cant really go back in time to think how I went by day to day after each of my surgeries, so instead, I can just identify the days after my lowest medical period recently.

More pain/More meds?

Robin — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 01:58:53 -0700

I don't often start threads,but my pain is getting worse.I have a PM appt. coming up this Tuesday and am debating how/what to discuss with him.I only see him every 3rd refill now since last Oct.or Nov.,and not going in every month makes it feel now like I have to be better prepared.

I've been taking the max of my pain meds (norco 10mg every 4hrs,or 6 a day) and lately it's just not as effective.I've never wanted to go to a higher dose,or change,but now I'm actually starting to get concerned.

I'm at it again

meydey321 — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 19:04:29 -0700

Sorry guys for complaining again but I feel so bad that I don't know what else to do with myself. The pain has been so bad lately that all I do is lay in bed day and night because it hurts to do anything. My meds don't seem to help me much and I keep waking up throughout the night. I notice that whenever the pain goes up that I have a headache accompanying it. My lower back gives me agony and so does the nerve pain and muscle spasms. This isn't just affecting me- it's my husband and kids too and it's so unfair to them.

i hope this works...

hopeless-in-mn — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 09:52:08 -0700

my mri pics if they load....

Soma vs. Zanaflex

Camille945 — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 01:37:07 -0700

I have been on and off Soma for about 1 1/2 years. It was working relatively well for my muscle spasms but lately it is just not cutting it.

I take 1 Soma usually twice during the day and then 2 at night.

I have heard about another muscle relaxer called Zanaflex.
Has anyone tried both? Which one worked better? At what dose compared to the Soma 350?

About 2 weeks ago I was started on the Fentanyl patch 50. It only seems to relieve the pain by about 30-40% for the first 2 days and then it doesn't seem to work at all. Can you use the Fentanyl patch and Zanaflex at the same time?

Interesting Article entitled "Unapproved Morphine to Stay on Market, FDA Rules"

bongobuns2006 — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 05:53:40 -0700

Good morning all. In my early morning surf on the internet I came across this article, which I found pretty informative and interesting. Apparently there are many unapproved narcotic pain medicines on the market today.

Remember, I am no doctor! I just thought someone out there might be interested in reading this as well.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/10/fda.morphine.market/index.html

Have a wonderful, chocolatey Easter!!!

Amy

Dont follow my mistakes, please learn from them

dilauro — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 19:49:24 -0700

Most people know that I have been dealing with chronic pain for over 30 years now. Started with my first spinal surgery in 1978.
I look back now and its so easy to realize that I made so many mistakes and created situations that just invited additional spinal problems.

Back and Neck Pain

Godschildinohio — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 11:34:34 -0700

I have chronic pain from my neck to my lower back, radiating pain down both arms and legs. I have had two surgeries and still no relief. I am on Robaxin, lyrica, cymbalta, & methadone. My pain level still stays at an eight. My headaches from the neck pain get so bad that I have double vision. I go to a neurologist and pain mangament monthly. Still no help. I have been told that I have a lot of of things like perifial neuropothy, neuralgia, bilateral carpal tunnel, degenterative disc disease, and so many other things that I can't remember. I hurt so much that I don't sleep much.

Can't hardly move "This is so friging painful "

Ibmisst — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 10:11:28 -0700

Morning, I'm here at work. Barly able to get out of bed this morning.My Neck pain is so unbearable. I cant' move it left or right.I'm like a Statue.The pain is so bad that my mid back muscles are so tight that I have to move my whole body to look at something If I try to sit up straight I can feel my whole spine cracking & popping .. My lower back " OMG " I can't freaking stand up straight My whole figging body Hurts so $^$^$ much..I'm glad today is a new patch day..50 of Fentyal, but it isn't going to take the edge off for a couple hours.

C 3-5 Fusion

dmdpickle — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 07:47:20 -0700

Three years ago, I had Spinal Fusion at levels 3/5 and 5/6 an Orthopedic surgeon. I am having problems with Level 7, and might have to go under the knife again! I was wondering what type of doctor the Cervical fusion patients used, Orthopedic or Neurologist?

The pain has never gone away. In fact, I have more pain now than before the surgery.

Also, does anyone else have a clicking feeling inside their neck? Almost as if the apparatus is rubbing against something. It doesn’t hurt, but is disturbing. The pain I have now is in the shoulders, and shoulder blades.

Is this still sciatica?

KellyJean — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 07:37:39 -0700

I have gone through 6 PT sessions, the last was 3/30/09. My sciatica started in September 08. At this point, I do not get the electric shocks, but I almost always have pain in both hips and get pain in my left calf. At this point, I am not sure what else I can do- the physical therapy was basically building up leg muscles. On my own, I have been doing hamstring and hip flexor stretches, but the pain still seems to always be there and quite often in my butt. I'm trying to gauge how much longer before the hip pain starts to subside.

This pain, hurts so bad

backpainhurts — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:54:13 -0700

Well about 4 months ago it just started out as I would get very painful back spaz in my back. Now the last few weeks I can hardly walk. To get into bed I scream, getting out of bed I scream. The pain is crippling. When I get this pain I can't move and I scream in pain and I can't hold my bladder at all.

Facet joint pain and narcotic pain medication

Dpeak13 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 10:47:37 -0700

Hello everyone,
I was injured at work in September of 2008. I have had much pain in my lower back right side and upper buttocks. I also have a ton of sciatic pain from my buttocks down my leg to my knee. My hip and groin are also very painful.

Fix me!

dilauro — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 07:06:46 -0700

Here is another statement that you here often. People who are dealing with spinal problems many times want a procedure to make them better. It could surgery, it could be an injection and it could be just stronger pain medications.

Dealing with some spinal problems is not that black and white.
An example, if you have a toothache because of a cavity, you go to the dentist, they drill and fix the cavity and you are set, no more problems. Thats an example of FIX ME

Why Dont you believe me ?

dilauro — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 07:01:30 -0700

These are words that we here so often here. Patients go to see doctors in order to find out what is wrong, why are they in pain.
So many have MRI's done. The results come back and the doctor says to the patient,
Everything is normal, you are fine. There is nothing showing here that would cause the pain you say you are in

You know how frustrated you are by that answer. You know you are in pain, but the doctors are telling you, you shouldnt be in pain. Is it in my head?

oxycontin - need answers asap pls pls...

scared_of_pain — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 21:34:38 -0700

Hi everyone,

I have just been changed from 5mg oxycodone to the slow release 20mg oxycontin and i am very apprehensive as i have been on the 10mg and had major physical withdrawals. The dr has changed me because he thinks i am starting to get addicted, i dont agree but well what can i say. He's obviously going off data-based statistics but im not a number.

I don't want to take these new ones because they remain in my systems 24/7 where as the others i took when i had REALLY bad pain and i felt i was in control of my pain doing it this way.

Pain Meds Not Lasting Long Enough?

Jwriter — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:15:03 -0700

Hello All -

My situation is that for ONLY 6 days now, I've been taking Percocet 5/325mg (up to 4 X's daily) as prescribed for my chronic pain issues. Having said that, I've not taken more than 2.5 tabs in any 24 hour period, yet the pain relieving affect (which is 20 to 30% at best) is lasting for less than 4 hours now per dose...when originally they worked for close to 7 hours.

My question is, would it be normal for the duration in which they last to be lessening after only 6 days of use, especially when taking such a low dose to boot??

Update on my Radiofrequency Denervation of Lumber Facet

Margareta — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:54:49 -0700

Just thought i would let you know how i got on yesterday when i had Radiofrequency Denervation, well here i am 24 hours later my back feels sore and as if i have been used as a punch bag it hurt something awfull when i was having it done he kept asking do you feel tingling do you feel a dragging feeling i dont think i could have stood much more , when i started walking after i had been told i could go my legs were like jelly , i am walking around having a sit it gave me a lot of pain this afternoon on the left side where the scatic nerve is , they say it takes at least a wekk to 10 days to s

HOPE

jj-from montreal — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 12:36:12 -0700

Interesting word in the eyes of a chronic pain sufferer,
Whose hopes evaporated in a flash. In a second, just as much time it took for my doctors to say those dreaded words,
“There is NO more treatments at this time”, (in other words, this is IT!)
Oh yes lets not forget the -GOOD LUCK!

For a very long time Hope did not, could not exist I could not see a future, especially with me in it. My business, my family, my medicated broken body/ and mind forced me through the motion, time past, some how life went on. At this point in my life, Hope was just a four letter word.

ab workout

william001 — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 03:39:50 -0700

Hi,
This is William. I like this site very much. Exercises are quite essential for your body to work properly. Regular exercises not only increase your stamina but make you feel fresh and energetic as well.Any workout plan can be effective if done under the supervision of a trainer.

================
william001
visit
www.nowhere.com

Post edited to remove URL.. Solicitation is not permitted on Spine-Health

Ron DiLauro, Spine-Health Administrator 04/06/09

Lupus Caused by Multiple Surgeries and Infections and Meds?

ernurse — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 20:06:19 -0700

Lupus is not my field of expertise. Anyone been diagnosed with Lupus after having complicated lumbar surgeries-infections, necrotic tissue, PICC line IV antibiotcs, many other meds?

I have structural problems and permanent nerve damage to legs from lumbar issues. But, poor balance, confusion, recent seizure, pain in ALL joints both sides of body including upper extremities not just lower, high cholesterol, mood swings, little lesions on arms(looks like I'm a meth skin picker)and now "butterfly" rash across face(which I know could just be rosacea.)

CMP

beccabochenek — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 12:23:45 -0700

http://www.caringmedical.com/therapies/prolotherapy.asp

Need Advice please

Honeywing — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 07:38:19 -0700

Hello Everyone,

I'm new to the group and have joined to help my mum. My mother was involved in a car accident about 5 weeks ago, she was crushed in the door and the body of the car against a wall. She suffered, 7 broken ribs, bruised her lungs, Ruptured spleen, lacerations to a kidney and liver, a break to her pelvis 1 in the front and one in the back right opposite each other, a laceration to the ligament on her knee and the door frame of the car pin her shin between the door and the frame work of the car.

If you have problems in one part of the spine are you likely to have problems in another?

Cath111 — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 07:02:05 -0700

I'm curious - if you have problems in one part of your spine are you likely to have problems in another part of your spine?

As you can see by my signature, I've had surgery on my cervical spine and now I'm having sciatica that starts in my left buttock and extends down the back of my left leg to my knee. This seems to come and go, but I always have pain in my tailbone and sometimes it's very hard to sit.

My doc believes that my cervical issues stemmed from a car accident many years ago. If that's the case, doesn't it seem logical that the lower spine could have been affected as well?

back pain flare up!

straker — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 03:05:58 -0700

hi all

Has anyone tried a walker for their walks?

charry — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:42:32 -0700

I know some people get a walker after surgery. But what about before surgery? I have trouble walking so I use my cane but I can't even walk past more than 5 houses or more than 100 ft. Does anyone use a walker for walking? I think I maybe able to go farther around the block. Just wondering. Charry

How do you tell the difference between Nerve pain and Muscle Spasms?

Laurie007 — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 11:12:16 -0700

I am hoping someone can tell me how you tell the difference between Nerve pain and Muscle Spasms.

After my C6-C7 ACDF I had a really bad pain in my left shoulder blade. My OS sent me to a PM doctor who did SNRB's and trigger point injections twice over a 2 week period. My pain only seemed to get worse so we stopped. Now the pain seems to be more of a burning pain across my whole upper to mid back and across both shoulder blades. The muscles are still sore but what is with the burning pain now? Is that a sign of nerve pain? Does anyone know if these pains eventually go away?

Pelvic Fracture

leslie — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 22:28:34 -0700

Hi,
I'm new here. I had a fall in 1998 where I fractured my pelvis in 3 places. I was kept in the hospital for 8 days. They got me up on crutches after about 3 days and the pain was excruciating. After I went home I spent months on my couch popping pills. I was able to start weight-bearing on the left foot after 6 weeks, then went to a cane, then nothing. The pain has never left.

appriciation that no one wants

anelsen15 — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 10:35:37 -0700

I was injured when I was 25 and have been hurting for 5 years now and it is horrible to live in chronic pain. There is not much about chronic pain to me that makes me a better person. But I am on this site and see people going at it for 30 years plus dealing with this monster and it amazes me. How strong you must be, all of you with any number of years battling pain. To continue to go on, is almost to much I am sure ,but you try to help people here and many of you seem like really good people ( a fact I will never understand).

My pain in my cervical; thoracic; and lumbar

maset22 — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:23:39 -0700

I certainly try to put all my pains in a position. my neck which I believed is my worst on this day because I am dropping things out of my hands; my shoulder is numbing that I want to crack my neck to feel relief, I have double scoliosis that makes my sitting just as hard if the chairs do have a rest back. Now my lumbar is more noticeable by my limp but also the pain coming from different anormalies from L4,5.6 and S1 region. which the doctor has his position on a radiofrequency in two weeks. He does not know about the new event the dropping of things from my hands which concern me the most.

CM & SM

potter153 — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:52:08 -0700

Hello i have recently been diagnosed with chiari malformation and syringomelia which explains the extreme pain i have been in for the past two years. My doctors told me it was from the two herniated disk i also have in my thorasic. I was wondering if any body has some pain relief solutions in the mean time. I don't care what it is at this point i just need relief. I have five kids and a mortgage and need to function. The pain causes me a great deal of stress because it slows me down too much. I know that i have to take it some what easy but some days i don;t even want to get out of bed.

Need Help- can't urinate

monarchsounzs kim — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:20:28 -0700

My surgery is in 6 days, & I'm trying not to have to take anymore new meds until after surgery. Now, on top of everything else, I'm having some real trouble urinating. It's been "slow-going" for awhile, but now it is taking a very long time to pee, and it doesn't feel like I'm "emptying" everything.
The only pain from this is from the pressure (it's adding to the back pain) , there's no burning or infection. Also, I am drinking PLENTY of water.
Is there any way to help this 'naturally"?
I'm hoping (or maybe wishing) that these lovely side-problems will disappear after surgery.

sometimes it's become serious pain on my back

jhon_abraham — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 11:27:15 -0700

some times when i sit on chair for long time.when i get stand then my heard is going to round and my eyes become blank for a moments i becomes blind

Solicitation is not permitted on Spine-Health. Please remove the URL in your signature line. It is a forum violation

Ron DiLauro , Spine-Health Administrator, 04/01/09

Ten Year Old Fluid Deposits

swolech — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 08:24:38 -0700

Hello,

Finally sucked it up and got a cane....

Ming — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:16:41 -0700

I know we've discussed this before and I was having trouble finding one of the discussions I remember having months back so forgive me for starting a new one.

Good days

j.howie — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 13:13:09 -0700

I never seem to post on the "good days"
So I thought maybe on the roller coaster of pain, we might let others know that not all is gloom and doom.
I am having a good day and my pain scale is about 6. But If I stay busy I don't notice the pain as much. And a 6 is much better than the 8 that I've had for the last few weeks.I never thought I would be grateful for a 6. But I am and I'm enjoying the day.
I hope you are too!
Good luck, Jim

Please help! How many of you are working full time with chronic pain?

Laurie007 — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 10:31:07 -0700

As you can see by my signature, I am still having chronic pain from my 12/09 surgery. I have been on State Disability since 6/23/08 and therefore it is up on 6/23/09. I would not qualify for Social Security Disability at this time. I am supposed to return to work this Wednesday or Thursday as they have actually held my position, not without harrassing me along the way, making me train temps, work some from home at one point and giving me ultimatums. I have a desk job.

Are there any other chronic pain sufferers who live alone or with young kids?

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 10:00:31 -0700

I am a single mother of a 10 year old high functioning autistic son. He is the love of my life. My son helps me with a few things and my parents help me with laundry on Wednesday evenings, but for the most part I do everything on my own.

I have been a single mom since my son was a baby, so I've always just been used to doing things on my own. But sometimes my pain does take a toll on me..especially when it affects my ability to do everyday things.

knee pain and back history

Magnumtagem — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 02:57:37 -0700

Im new here but ive dealt with back problems all my life.Alittle history when i was a kid my knees would hurt so bad i would cry myself to sleep as my mom and dad took turn rubing my knees. (growing pains?) well i did go to a doc and had all kinds of xrays nothing showed up but in my teen yrs i had both in imobilizers due to varios med injuries usually unknown what the real problem was. In my early 20s my back hurt abbout every minute of everyday so. Any way i had a mircro done on l5-s1 due to a herniation of disk severe foot drop and siatic pain.

Newbie from Kent with cronic back pain

Margareta — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 14:32:36 -0700

Hi
Found the site by chance and i am so glad i did i have suffered over 20 years from back pain till in the end 5 years ago had to stop work.

Life is too complicated, any idea which specialist I should see?

jj-from montreal — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 03:57:46 -0700

I’m presently experiencing multiple problems. It started with a pain lower part behind my left knee, I can still put my body weight on it but if I twist it in any way “major pain” funny thing is I did not injure it, that I know of, just on day I walk up with it.
Problem 2) Every now and then my DDD flairs up and a nerve gets affected; this nurse goes from the back of my neck to the back of my right hand, so anything that I touch once again major pain, this flair up is going on its 4th week ,usually these flair up go away after 2weeks

dealing with doctors

K61 — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 15:13:24 -0700

I am not sure if this is in the right spot or not, but here it goes. I just wanted to relay something I said to my
doctor and her answer. We were discussing my updated meds and the need for an x-ray of my bum knee again. She was concerned my limp could be aggravating my back. She also said I would have to probably see an orthopedic specialist.
She had that look that someone gets when they know they arn't being much help.

post stenosis surgery /lower back muscle spasms

shazhkin — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 09:37:07 -0700

I had a L4-5 Fusion, as well as laminectomy in L2-3 in November 2008.
Since that time, I have had chronic muscle (Glutial) spasms, beneath the incision, on the top of each side of my butt.
I have tried P/T, Message, muscle relaxants, and Acupunture; and nothing has helped.

Has anyone else had this problem? Please get back to me.

shazhkin@earthlink.net

Constipation Relief

JD2020 — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 18:42:26 -0700

Hi everyone.

I'm not sure if this has been posted before, but I just wanted to share this. This has turned out to be a miracle medication that has made life much more bearable while taking pain medication that causes severe constipation. I fought bad constipation for years, then my family Doc prescribed for me, Polyethylene Glycol 3350 NF Powder 17 grams daily. This can be sprinkled on food or mixed with juice or just water.

Most of you know how miserable it is to have to deal with constipation and I hope this may help some of you.

John

LUPUS , MS, PERNICIOUS ANAEMIA OR WHAT?

dawniee — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:30:56 -0700

well saw my neurologist tuesday he agrees with the nuero surgeon that my severe pain is not structural in origin. yes i have some issues ddd disc herniations and stenosis but he says these are not the cause of my pain or my increasing nureo symptoms such as poor balance shot reflexes and continued pain that is just about manageable with the butrans patches.

anyhow he mentioned ms lupus or pernicious anaemia or other inflammatory conditions as potential causes. so its more blood tests a lumbar puncture and sensory evoked potentials.

My wife

jojomuffintoe — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 21:34:52 -0700

Hello, I am looking for a little information regarding my wife. She has scoliosis, degenerative arthritis in spine, two ruptured disc's. Her disc spacing is all messed from the scoliosis. On one side the disc space is none and the other very large, this is on multiple disc's in her lower back. Her disc are degenerative, and all this is seen through an x-ray, no mri as of yet, but the doc said if all this is evident through and x-ray the mri will show much, much more.

Spondylosis,DDD

juleofbc — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:02:39 -0700

Hi
I have been on this sight a few times.I usually get the answers I need. As most of you know, getting a response from your dr can be a real pain in it's self.This is actually a 2 part question.

Left Leg Pain

MissPiggy — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:38:05 -0700

Yesterday I bent over to put my shoe on and a sharp pain began in my R butt cheek and proceeded down the outside of my calf. I tried to sit upright and the pain shot up my R side on up to the R side of my head like a frying pan hit me. I called my neurologist to get me in or at least call me. I still have heard nothing. Last night I got up to go to bed and thought I was getting sick to my stomach but I was try to pass-out. Today I have pain in my L leg and it gives out when I try to walk and several times a strong pain in my L groin.

What has or has not worked for you?

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 06:55:56 -0700

I thought this might be an interesting way to say how people have dealt with chronic pain and see what has/has not worked for people. So I'll start..

Has:

Electric heating pad - helps temporarily with pain
Massage - helps very temporarily as far as muscle spasms
Lyrica
Tramadol

Has not:

Percocet - worked for the first 1 1/2 weeks but then had lots of breakthrough early into dose.
Oral steroid 5 day pack
Robaxyn
Skelaxyn
Naprosyn
Mobic
Vicodin
TENS Unit
Traction
2 cervical ESI's

waiting for doctor

maset22 — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:36:29 -0700

Does any one, ever have to wait for two to four hours habitually to see your doctor, I do. And it frustrate me somewhat. I do have my reading materials, but now I notice I do not want to wait that long, specially while I am hurting. Just venting. Pain has made me very low key person. Dan

Chronic pain occur during driving

Adamapple — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:09:07 -0700

Driving is something that we cannot avoid to. We go to doctors and PT appointments all the time, and sometimes we just have to drive ourselves there, even when on narcotics. Say I was driving in the 3 lane of a 5 lane freeway, and suddenly chronic pain arise, the leg of all things became stiff, and pain (the beast) shoots up to the spine, my questions are:

What will you do? Do you take medication before you drive to prevent this from happening? Or you don't take medication so that you have a clear head to drive? You can't move and the car is still rolling, how can we do?

Movement Disorder

WoahNelly — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 09:29:42 -0700

For months I have had muscle spasms & twitches on a daily basis. The worst is when my body locks up in spasm and I can't move. It looks like a seizure, but I am completely awake. I saw a neurologist and they said I have a movement disorder that has developed as a result of changes to my brain chemistry from chronic pain.

Has anyone had simular experiences or heard of this happening? I'd appreciate any feedback as this does not make sense to me...

Movement Disorder

WoahNelly — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 09:29:42 -0700

Has anyone had simular experiences or heard of this happening? I'd appreciate any feedback as this does not make sense to me...

question about help for spasms

dorothy — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 13:45:45 -0700

I get muscle spasms in my lower back-I never know when
it will happen. That's the worst part of it. A friend
told me yesterday that tonic water which contains quinine
helped her get rid of the spasms. Has anyone ever heard
of that? I would appreciate any feedback. I take
Baclofen-10mg-higher dose makes me dizzy. I also take
tram or alleve.
I have arthritis in my lower back-facet issues and
and sacreilliac-sp.pain and bursitis in my hip.
When a spasm hits, I have difficulty walking because of
the pain. Thanks.
dorothy

Medication for sleep?

spunky21 — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 17:57:19 -0700

I am in so much pain I sleep maybe 1-2 hrs per night. I had an ACDF 3-08 C5-6, C6-7. I have neuropathy. Spinal stenosis lumbar L5-S1. Numbness, unbelievable burning. Myelopathy. Have tried numerous therapies, tens unit, injections. I have vocal cord damage from surgery can only whisper, I choke on my foods. Anyway this is just a brief history. My PM dr recently changed me from Lyrica to Neurontion due to change in insurance issues. I no longer work I am on SSDI and LTD (which I am so grateful for)

I've been warned

telula68 — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 08:28:30 -0700

I'm sure you all remember my post that started so much trouble. I have been warned that my last post was innapropriate and that nobody on this board should ever be exposed to something so horrible. Because I said BITE ME. And wanted the thread killed since it was becoming something beyond what I had intended.

Negligent, lazy doctors

Cath111 — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 08:04:44 -0700

I just read a post that totally ticked me off. It's about someone with some legitimate symptoms associated with cervical spinal issues (I've had those same symptoms) and a doctor and a NS who told her that her symptoms couldn't be caused by her cervical disc problems. It's such a crock!

It makes me wonder:
1. How many of you have had one doctor read an MRI and tell you "it's not your spine" only to go to another doctor and have them tell you that you need surgery?

constant back pain

deni speelman — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 19:20:01 -0700

hey how do all you get anything for pain my doc is anti meds anything although i have constant pain

Broken titanium rod on spine

sapnc — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:17:00 -0700

Hi,
I had spinal surgery 3 years ago. Two titanium rods and 12 screws. I have been experience pain now for 6 months and just had it checked. I was told that a nut was off and the rod had broken and allowed the disk to deteriorate. Has anyone ever had a broken rod that has caused problems.
I was told that the rod may have broken because of movement.
Seems wrong for that to happen.
Help.

Hope on the Horizon for Chronic Pain Relief

zoloftn151 — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:49:24 -0700

Chronic Pain: New Research, New Treatments
WebMD talks to Scott M. Fishman, MD, president of the American Pain Foundation

Post edited to remove URL. Not a pure case of solicitation, but Linking to peer sites is not the appropriate
steps to take

Ron DiLauro, Spine-Health Administrator 03/19/09

Recent Number of "My Pain level hit the Top"

dilauro — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:31:45 -0700

Since I follow all forums (not always responding) I have been seeing a trend in the past 3 weeks.
There have been more of the " I've had it" posts than I've seen in almost a year.
I am not questioning anyone who has made those posts, because
while pain is subjective, you know it when you have it
But what I would like to know is WHY there has been such an increase in members saying the same thing?

- Is there some lunar cycle going on that effects this?
- Does hearing someone else say make you feel you can say it also?

MBB and Radiofrequency

maset22 — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 14:42:47 -0700

Yesterday I had an MBB on my right L3/4/5. Now I am schedule for radiofrequency in two weeks. Any concern I should know about? Dan

MS (Multiple Sclerosis) anybody?.......

yoyoyomonica — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 14:07:12 -0700

I am just wondering if there is anybody with MS here. I have lived in chronic pain for most of my life. It is just aweful. I had back surgery in January and for the most part it took care of that pain. I still have issues in my hip bone but I still have general achyness everywhere else. esp in my shoulders and arms, Feet and legs is pain tingeling and somtimes Zaps in my shoulders and buttocks. I hate MS. IT sucks big time. MS. has taken my life away. I have never felt rite. I have been complainin for years. then I got a new doc who decided to get a MRI of my brain.

I've had it

meydey321 — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 11:52:07 -0700

I don't know how much I can stand anymore. I'm sick and tired of this pain which keeps me pretty much homebound and I have no life. All day long I get to stare at the 4 walls laying in bed with a freaking ice pack. This is not life. My kids can't do anything fun because I can't take them out to the movies, mall, shopping etc. and their dad is at work. You don't know how guilty I feel. Last night I had a mini breakdown but thankfully I put myself back together again. I want to go out and not be trapped at home because of this f^&*ing pain.

extensive muscle spasms

baffled — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 04:22:00 -0700

wondering if anyone has gotten a dx of extensive chronic muscle spasms and rigidity...or something to that nature. Doc truely beleives all my pain is a result of the chronic muscle spasms (since 4/07) - 4th round of pt (a lot more details - he wishes to speak directly to the pt person) and a ms muscle med.

I am game for anything that will help improve my quality of life. Fortunely, this hospital recently built a med center right up the street from me - yae for me! and i won't have to travel the 1 hr to get to the hospital like I do for doc appts!

NEW RIDICULOUS INJURY!

leocat46 — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 04:11:27 -0700

hello everyone, i have cervical rupture discs, still recovering from rotary cuff tear, and frozen shoulder, diagnosed with RSD. and i recently tried to go back to my job, of stocker in a major dept. store. (bad idea) , but i was just taking it one day at a time, and coming home hurting. well i thought that was bad enough...

3 herniated discs lumbar region - what treatment?

Pembroke1712 — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 23:24:28 -0700

Hi all, I have been diagnosed with 3 herniated discs and am waiting to see the neurosurgeon. Can anyone tell me if they had the same diagnosis and if so, what surgery did they undergo? Many thanks for all replies.

Pain & Stiffness ....drs say this is as good as it gets

cembn5 — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:15:49 -0700

Was rear ended while stopped 16 mos ago while stopped at a cross walk while someone crossed in front of me.

Coccyx pain during pregnancy

blrunner — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:12:58 -0700

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone might be able to give me some advice. One week ago today, I was sitting on the floor playing with my son. I stood up and heard an audible popping noise. My husband heard it as well.

Since then I have had very intense, localized pain in my tailbone. I can't sit, can't rock by son and am having trouble sleeping. It pretty much hurts constantly.

I am 28 weeks pregnant.

back and neck pain

pstone — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 18:39:22 -0700

Hi everyone) i was in a car wreck 12 years ago 19 year old ran a red light going 75 miles an hour and i was only going 5. i was a weight lifter in very good shape (female). The pain got worse over the years. I had compression in my neck I had C5 C6 C7 fused with cage. I also had stenosis and large bone spures (jan 07). Then in (may 07) I had L3 L4 L5 S1 extensive laminectomy with compression and stenosis at L4L5. I also have DDD, spondylolsis, facet arthropathy. The doctor removed all the facet joints. As for as the pain meds. I was on Didulated , ox.

Have any of you tried these chairs for home or office?

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 12:51:44 -0700

They look like they would be great for somebody with chronic pain.

http://www.backcarebasics.com/Vari%C3%A9r_Is_Original_Design.htm

Sacroilitis and Degenerative Disc

Rwilly — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 07:30:21 -0700

Help
I have been seeing a great Pain Doctor for the past two years. He stated I had Disorders of the Sacrum, Degenerative Disc with the L4 & L5 had bulges going into
the nerve canal. Iam going thru physical therapy now but
all that seems to do is make it worse.I wake up at night with such pain in the buttocks and back that I cant even lie back down. My question is Should I continue therapy or what? I cant walk very far without it shooting extreme pain
in the hip and back area.Help

pain since 96 "long read sorry"

Jdegid — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 10:47:25 -0700

Hi all,

I am new.
After reading through the forum I feel lucky and sad at the same time.

My story and questions.

I was diagnosed with a herniated disc (8 mm ) between L4 & L5 in 1996. My doctor at the time suggested spinal fusion.

Need pain med that won't make me sick after surgery

barney — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 07:42:09 -0700

I have such horrible reactions to most meds and need something that won't make me sick after surgery. I am going to have my back surgery soon and it is going to be pretty invasive and know I'll need something for pain.
Codeine makes me vomit...literally. Please tell me of something that you know that I can take safely to releave the pain.

Thanks.

Barney

How long do you wear your Tens Unit?

MaggieP — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 00:44:13 -0700

I'm sitting here with heated neck wrap around my neck, and my Tens Unit on my lower back. When I received it from my PT, he told me to use it no more than 20minutes at a time on one place.Is the purpose of it to stimulate the nerves so they don't hurt when you quit using it, or is it to block the pain while it is buzzing along? So far all it's doing for me is sharp electrical jabs that's making my back hurt worse. Maybe I'm using it wrong. Any ideas? I'm through with PT, so can't ask the therapist. I would just like to get some type of life back.

Maggie

throbbing groin pain and burning sensation in soles of feet. loss of appetite

pembroke2 — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 00:26:43 -0700

I have constant groin pain due I have been told to a herniated disc in the lumbar area. I have been taking neurontin, amitryptline, tramadol for pain relief. These are not helping. I have had epidural injections but they have not helped.I am worried about the effect of taking these medications. i was prescribed lyrica -50mg this week .I have taken it twice and felt very strange today as i took an extra one this afternoon. I have been taking 300 mgs of neurontin -once at night and one in the morning. My doctor told me to stop taking the neurontin and to try the lyrica.

L4/L5 nerve damage

scared_of_pain — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 10:27:55 -0700

Hi Everyone!

Firstly, I suffer with severe right L4/L5 radicular INTENSE nerve pain. I also have degenerative disc disease in L4/L5 & L5/S1.

New Member Here

Marg43 — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 09:35:33 -0700

Hi Everyone need Help dont Know where to go next.N.S deflated cyst located underneath T8 pedicle He hoped surgical resection of cyst would alleviate Pain but was not certain.Almost Two years later still have pain and now it seems to be radiating to my right side on the ribs under breast.

Crazy Back Pain

WierdBackPain — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 00:14:27 -0700

I have had chronic back pain since 1995. It started with stiffness or tightness in the neck in 1991 and was treated with chiropractic care. In 1995 it developed into low-back pain and I could hardly walk. In March 1996 a lumbar MRI showed L5-S1 disc protrusion and mild central canal stenosis, with moderate facet degeneration. Later in March I got a nerve block, followed by an epidural steroid injection by the same doctor. In May 1996 an EMG was "normal" and ligament injury was suspected. On May 15, 1996 I had a L5-S1 discectomy. The discectomy helped maybe 10%, but the pain continued.

Crazy Back Pain

WierdBackPain — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 00:14:22 -0700

Referred to Dr. that won't accept cash, checks or credit cards?

reptiles — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 17:21:08 -0700

My doctor said he must send all his chronic pain patients to a "pain specialist" to justify current treatment.

So I tried to get an appointment with ANY of the doctors on the list he gave me and NONE will accept cash, checks, or credit cards (in advance!)

It seems they all want to bill an insurance company. My COBRA expired and my Worker's Comp won't authorize another doctor (I already see 3 doctors.)

What is the purpose of denying care to patient's willing to pay fee for service?

Thanks for any advice or explanations.

Chronic pain and fatigue - Spondyloarthritis?

oldfarmfixer — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 15:13:34 -0700

Is there anyone out there with a form of Spondyloarthritis - psoriatic or reactive arthritis? It's becomming apparent that it runs in my family - my nephew has PA and my brother ankylosing spondylitis. My brother tested HLAB27 pos too. All my siblings and I are tired and achy all the time. How do you find a doc that takes it seriously and doesnt just say it's age?

Avinza

Ohio-guy — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 13:01:07 -0700

Hi everybody. I am new here, so please bear with me. I was wondering if anyone out there has been on Avinza for some time and could tell me if it works for them.
I just started with a new pain doc after going to another clinic for about 7 years. I have degerative discs in cervical spine and low back problems as well as arthritis.

facet joint hypertrophy

straker — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 08:47:31 -0700

hi everyone
i have just been diagnosed with facet joint hypertrophy at levels S1 to L3 with 2 bulging disc at L5 AND L3 .has anyone else got facet joint hypertrophy and how are you managing the pain and are you going to have a fusion {as my doctor suggest i should have}
STRAKER

Back pain

claudia — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 01:18:35 -0700

well i have been taking the vitiams Delaware girl recomm, i believe it helps thank you it sure has helped my leg cramping and pain, plus i am taking tramodal, vicoden twice a day and soma i have a bothering right side pain and my knees ohhh boy trying to hang in there.Well i would say about a week and a half The surgeon said i can walk in the water and sit in the hot tub, when i walk in the water i feel no- pain, no swimming tho i am 2 months post opt, still have numbness, and sum nerve prob, but i kinda think i will be ok , i hope to G-D!!my doc said it will take al long time, i can drive sh

Don't want to go to bed

j.howie — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 00:02:52 -0700

During the days and early evenings I'm in quite a bit of pain. More so recently.
I take 50 mgs. of methadone and a hydrocodone for breakthrough.
I start the day with just 10 mg. and try to space them out as much as possible throughout the day. And most days I try to get by with only 40 mg.

pain scale

otony92 — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 19:26:57 -0700

is yall pain scale different from mine? when you say "i'm at a 7 today is that with or without meds? i would say " with 125 mg. of fentanyl, 400 mg. of lyrica, 12,000 g. of B-12, 20 mg. of lortab, 1/2 oz. of lidicaine ointment, " if i am at a 7, then it would be wonderful. what say you? or is it a 7 without meds. what are most thinking?

tonyo

1st time poster....

unknown feet pain

otony92 — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 19:04:12 -0700

i'm sure this post isn't the 1st. to ever have something that can't be treated, diagnosed or don't know what caused it. any and all ideas will be appreciated. first, you'll have to know what has been happening so ya'll know allready that iv'e been to pain hell, but can't leave. please, iv'e tried just about everything you can think of so' no ordinary drugs, or remidies will help. what i would like is to see if there is anything that may be similar to what someone else may be experencing that i am going through and if anything your doing is working.

chronic pain after surgery

pstone — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 18:31:01 -0700

has anyone have severe pain across buttocks? I had fusion may 07 L3 L4 L5 S1 with facet joints removed, cysts. I hurt so bad pain radiates down right leg or the left (weird) I am on strong (nar) now its been 2 years?

Well I guess this is it

telula68 — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 18:29:13 -0700

If you have read my other posts you know I have been having problems with the pain clinic I go to. I can't go anywhere else because There just isn't anywhere else TO go.

I have had the worst experiences at this place. I only go there now because they prescribe my hydrocodone. I signed the form and agreed to be tested to make sure I am not abusing etc... Had my first urine screen there a couple months ago. Had been there about 4 times and never had a test.

Reffered pain in coccyx

louellen — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 05:16:20 -0700

Hello, I am completley new to this and would like some help and advice. I had a disc removed about 11 years ago and had problems ever since. I have been diagnosed with DDD. A couple of weeks ago I started to get pain in my coccyx which my doctor thinks could be a referred pain caused by another disc herniating. Has anyone else had this sort of thing happen to them?

intrathecal pain pump

Hutch — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 23:28:29 -0700

Hello all,

Stomach pain from Herniated Disc

PittyK — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 19:19:13 -0700

Hi,
I have been diagnosed with a herniated disc of the s5/L1 vertabrae and a radial tear. I have just recently started getting terrible stomach pain. I thought it was gas however it is now 5 days later and I still have the pain. Unfortunately I cant get into see my docter until 2 weeks. Is it possible that this lower abdominal pain is being caused by the herniated disc? Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.

thanks,

Brand New And Hurting Everyday....

Shafreeka — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 13:08:39 -0700

I am 20 years old and for the past two years I have been having chronic pain across my back and down my right leg. At first I thought it was a side effect of a med that I was just put on but after I stopped the med it just seemed to hang around. I thought it was a nerve problem to begin with. First only my leg would get numb. Then it started to tingle and now it is full on throbbing pain. It radiates up my back through my right leg. Up my neck, and through both arms. My first doctor thought it was nothing but I didn't believe that for one second.

Leg "giving out" episodes- what's it all about?

meydey321 — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 12:38:16 -0700

I know a lot of you have had this happen. It comes out of nowhere and suddenly you're down on the ground. Is the weakness due to nerve damage? This happens at unpredictable times and it can be scary and embarrassing. When it occurs, my leg starts to hurt badly right away and so does my back. The common factor is always being on my feet for too long. Does anyone have an idea as to what's going on? Thanks

that can't be causing your pain

baffled — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 04:44:12 -0700

Okay - so none of us are doctors, but I am confused...I will read posts that say Herniation at level blah, blah, osteophytes and ddd at levels blah, blah, blah, for example.
The doc says that can't be causing you pain! I think to myself, that sounds like something to cause pain.

newbie here scared and sad..............

kellianne — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 20:02:35 -0700

Hi I have been lurking here on these boards for some time now. I have sponylothesis, spinal stenosis, spondyithesis. I have surgery scheduled for april 10th. I am so scared to have a lmainectony and a fusion. I am really scared of having this surgery. Any tips on preparing for it would be nice. My husband is no help and calls me pig and a log all day long. He told me this evening that he will not be helping me after the surgery. He tells me all the time I am lazy and imitates me limping around. I have 2 little boys who feel so sad that thier daddy makes fun of me.

Good PM doc in Chicago suburbs?

graysayhk — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 17:10:06 -0700

I have an appointment with a PM doc tomorrow (never been before) and I was just reading on here that some only do injections and don't prescribe meds. I already HAD an injection from my primary care doc that didn't work so I don't want to go THAT route again! I obviously don't know WHAT I need but I want a PM doc that WOULD prescribe meds if he/she determined I needed them. Does anyone know of a PM doc around the Chicago suburbs or advice on how to find out if they do more than just injections/procedures?

Hooray for me, NOT!

meydey321 — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 13:33:24 -0700

I took a dive at a Walmart parking lot today. The good ole leg went out and ALAS! I fell to the ground. My knees were scraped along with my dignity. My husband rescued me as two on lookers ask if I was okay (at least they gave a @#$t) Anyway I am paying for it with fiery nerve pain and a very sore back. Please anyone, share a story with me so I don't feel so bad Thank you my fellow spinies.

I am not sure

sjcsmc — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 13:08:39 -0700

I am new here, first and foremost... I will give you a little background info in myself before I proceed. I am a 25 year old mother of 4 (yes, I am crazy:) and fertile apparently). I have had back and neck pain ever since I can remember(even elementary school). I finally went to the chiropractor after my first child was born(I was 19), he took x-rays and was a life saver, I went to him for over a year until my insurance stopped covering him. He said that my back and neck were a mess, he re-adjusted me as needed, I could just walk into his office and he would make room for me.

I changed the ER's perception of chronic pain--Long

shalom — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 10:16:07 -0700

Good morning to all. I havent been here in such a long time but have a bit of good news from my last visit to the ER. This is going to be long so grab a cuppa!

Several weeks ago I fell while bringing in some groceries. Of course the first thing I did when I realized I was laying on the ground was to look around to see who might have seen such an ungracious landing-lol. I then stood up and realized I hadnt even dropped my grocery bags.

spondololysis and sciatica- my solution

dgray — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 06:26:42 -0700

I'm 28 year old male and have had chronic back pain for 6+ years. In 2007 I had an MRI that showed a spondololysis on L5 with disc bulging. The symptoms up until that point were variable, starting with general muscle pain(2001-2004) due to over use and bad posture, changing to persistent sciatic pain.

Until the MRI 2007 I went through the standard medical care where my reflexes where checked and eventually had an x-ray. These all turn out to be normal. Standard physical therapy was prescribed to strengthen the core.

If you think; you’re the only one affected by your chronic pain –YOU’RE mistaken!

jj-from montreal — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 05:01:19 -0800

Take my word for it, everybody around you is affected.

In my experience it is crucial; that everybody without exception; parents grandparents children – (significant other) who ever is directly involved in your immediate life
All have a sit down with your pain doctor and have them ask any question, let the doctor answer, believe you me it carries a lot more weight if the same words came from a doctors mouth, then yours.

P A I N P A T T E R N S

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 06:45:28 -0800

Sometimes my pain is constant, sometimes it comes out of the blue after having a good break from it, sometimes it's intermittent.

Do you have a consistent pattern of pain? Taking pain meds out of the picture...is your pain constant? Or do you ever have a break from it and think you may be getting better and then it just comes out from nowhere?

What is your diagnosis and what part of your body does it effect?

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 12:12:27 -0800

C5-C6 is my large herniation. I have pain in my neck, left shoulder blade, left arm, left hand and fingers on left hand. I also have occasional numbness in my middle and ring finger, as well as tingling in left forearm/hand.

What part of your body do you experience pain etc? Do you have different kinds of pain/sensations, or is it pretty much the same? Is it common for people with cervical herniations to have symptoms down to their fingertips, or does that indicate it is more severe and might take longer to heal (if it does at all)?

So incredibly tired!

alcb — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 18:59:12 -0800

What's the trick? How on earth do you deal with pain 24/7, kids, work, husband, daily stress, meds, other conditions and actually stay awake!?

It's 1 am and I have a new label for my pain

AaronS — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:13:09 -0800

Greetings, friends!

Today was an eye-opener. I'm sitting here at the PC, because lying in bed isn't helping. I'm exhausted and yet the pain is outrageous. It's burning and pulling at my brain. The room is nearly spinning from medication and yet sleep is nowhere in sight. I just gave up and took a sleeping pill, but having learned a likely name for what is causing so many of the symptoms along with the pain lately, I thought I would ping to see if anyone here is familiar with it: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), formerly known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD).

Lysis of adhesions

meydey321 — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:37:16 -0800

Has anyone had this procedure before for epidural fibrosis or arachnoiditis? My doctor talked about giving this a try since I have scar tissue on the levels where they operated on (L4-S1). I've been having severe lower back pain and muscle spasms & burning sharp stabbing pains in my leg. Life has not been too good to me lately but I'll keep on fighting.

Neep Help Doctors Cant Figure it Out.

Donovan321 — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 10:31:45 -0800

Ok here is the deal. I am a 34 year old white male. I have had every test known...I think. The only thing they have found is a fusion of my lower S1 and L5 (I think that is the numbers and many bulging disc like 11. I have numbing on my left side pretty much constantly. I am in constant pain in my legs my feet are always on fire. Now the new thing is this sharp bring me to my knees pain in my rib cage, I think it only depends if I turn the wrong way. I have been told MS, Fibro, and a possible immune problem. Again I have been tested for all, no definite diagnosis.

if i try to do something my lower back aches like hell

straker — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 07:50:35 -0800

i know that's its a strange title but i could not thing of a better way of putting it .let me explain today i tided up my garden shed {spring clear out} nothing too heavy but lots of bending.by the time i had done my lower back to the right of the scar where i was operated on was and still is {and probably will be when you read this!} aching like mad i felt like i had done 1000000 sit ups its like tooth ache .not much leg pain but evil back ache .what i want to know is do any of you lovely people have a similar problem when you do things like wash your car/ironing.gardening.DIYor is it just me

How long dose it take

j.howie — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:32:06 -0800

How long dose it take for you to get going in the morning after waking up on a normal day? It takes me about 2 hrs. and then I can start the normal stuff.
Good luck, Jim

I know exactly how you feel!

dmoonchild — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:28:05 -0800

OK, I have to vent here. It makes me SO angry when people tell me they know Exactly how I feel with my pain. My neighbor was out shoveling snow yesterday. She called me up today saying her back was hurting and asked me for some pain pills. I cant believe it! Of course I said no, but she was acting like she knew all about my chronic pain and was going on and on about how she is hurting so much. It makes me so Angry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GOOD NEWS Finally.

Jim Bozarth — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:09:38 -0800

I had a visit with a neurosurgeon today , said to be one of the very best on the west coast of the USA.
His opinion was that with a little surgery he will be able to install the SCS uint easily.....even after the trial failed.
He told me I was an outstanding candidate for the ANS unit.
I'm still forcing myself to be out there in the fight and havent given in to the pain fully.
Now we wait on the approval of the Insurance and we're set.
I'll keep ya posted. YEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAA

Neck Back pain

tnt45 — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 08:30:30 -0800

I"Ve been reading all your alls mess, sonnds like I"m know different!

Cymbalta

telula68 — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 16:02:07 -0800

Who here is taking this? I have been on it for a long time. 90mg a day and it doesn't help my pain at all. If I stop taking it my head gets all funky so I stay on it for that reason. How much is the max? Thinking of asking the doc to up it to see if it will help with the pain.

Anyone else here have medicaid/medicare?

telula68 — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 14:37:41 -0800

If so could you share with me what meds and devices, surgeries, etc you have had that were paid for. I just found out that Lyrica is on the Medicare formulary but I have been denied it twice. I also had to pay for a script that is listed on the formulary.

A Fine Howdy Do

jeauxbert — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 14:16:41 -0800

As if my back pain weren't enough...

Now, my neck is becoming symptomatic. It radiates into my right arm (stopping just above my right elbow) and my right and left ring finger/pinky are tingly and numb, especially upon waking in the morning. I have a burning sensation in the vertebra just even with my shoulders.

GRRRRRRR.

At this point in my life (with the kids, the parents, the high pressure job) I DON'T NEED THIS CR@P!! I am just way too busy for this added stressor.

Does this make sense?

KellyJean — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:18:30 -0800

Just got back from PT. I told the PT person that I was able to get a lot of the pain to go away by standing at my desk, instead of sitting. She suggested that I see if my employer could get a desk that I could stand at. I told my husband about this ( he had PT in the past for pirformis) and he thought that was not a real solution. I work in accounting, and most of my work involves using computers and unfortunately, sitting. To be honest, I can't stand for long time periods without having pain either. The only thing that works is moving around a lot.

22 Year Old, With lower back pain and now leg pain

CarmenIsable — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 00:15:52 -0800

Hello,

My name is Alicia, but you may call me Carmen.

I am 22 years old, I have had back pain on and off ever since I had my son who is now 6. I recently went to the doctor for it and I was told it was a muscle spasm. I went through therapy which did seem to help but I don't know if they diagnosed the pain correctly.

I don't know what could be causing it but I am in pain again

Only this time there is a new pain with it.

In the past the lower back pain has been so severe that I had to walk at a right degree angle. this was when I was pregnant a second time.

What if your pain could be lessened significantly by a change in shoes?

edwin macabees — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 13:23:08 -0800

I recently read an article that said most people dealing with chronic foot, leg, knee and back pain could make a major dent in their pain level by simply wearing the right shoes. It makes sense to me. They say walking impact is equal to 2-3 times one's body weight. If I, weighing 200 lbs., am incurring 400-600 lbs. of impact pressure every time I take a step, that explains a whole lot as to why my pain is intensified so much while on my feet. My lower back and foot pain is at its absolute worst when I'm on my feet. If wearing the right shoe can make a big difference, than I'm all for it.

Typing thru the tears, in so much pain....no more dress shoes!

Ming — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 19:33:21 -0800

I am trying to type through the tears right now because I am in so much pain right now. I am so upset at myself. I've been more inactive due to increased pain levels lately. Hubby asked if I would like to go out to dinner so I decided to dress nice cuz he and I only see me in sweat pants and big cotton tshirts. I put on my black 1inch healed shoes and was off. By the time I got home I was in tears.

Switching meds...

unr3stricted — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 17:03:50 -0800

Hi everyone, I'm new but I had a question...

I've had chronic pain for 4 years now, and last year I got in a car accident which made it a lot worse. The pain is mostly located in my neck and shoulders. So far, no doctors can tell me what the pain is.

My current doc has me on 20mg OxyContin 2x a day, and 5mg Oxycodone 3x a day.

I NEED OPINONS FOR SURGERY , L3 TO S1 FUSION ?

painman — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 13:13:07 -0800

I HAVE DDD , CHRONIC PAIN , OA , MILD TO MODERATE BULDGES UP AND DOWN SPINE , NARROWING OF SPINAL CANAL AND OTHER THINGS MY MIND WON'T LET ME REMEMBER RIGHT NOW .

Ever notice

jr_really — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 08:37:50 -0800

It is quite interesting to see how different professionals interpret X-rays MRI scans and the like. I saw a doctor yesterday who does the steroid injections, and he pointed out a number of areas on my MRI that he thought were significant that other doctors - including a surgeon said could not be any part of the problem. How do you interpret apparent contradictory views about your condition?

For me I am going to give this doctor's advice a try. I figure that I've got nothing else to lose since the previous treatments have not done what the professionals had promised.

Where do I go from here?

KellyJean — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 08:03:44 -0800

I am going through pt, not sure that it is doing anything.

Update and hit again.

hisbeauty4ashes — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 21:04:18 -0800

Hi all,

I wrote on another note but just wanted to feel you in on what is happening with me.

I went and saw a specialist today for Thoracic outlet syndrome and to make a long story short I am diagnosed with a severe case of it and will have surgery in the long run.

I tell you just when I start to feel better about things it is like boom! Hit again. I am tired and want to be finished with all of this.

Hugs and thanks for listening
Jeanie

Scar tissue

meydey321 — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:11:51 -0800

I've been having a rough time lately ever since my back pain grew worse and I've had severe muscle spasms in my upper thighs and calves. I can't go through the night without waking up to take Norco and my muscle relaxer. Thankfully my doctor ordered an MRI and I found out that I have epidural fibrosis pressing on my nerve. The pain has been so bad and at times I can barely walk, and I spend my days laying in bed. I'm having an ESI done and another procedure to break up the scar tissue with enzymes. Does anyone know what this is called? Has anyone had this problem before? Thank you for help

"What's your pain level on a scale of 1-10?"

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 13:41:24 -0800

I get so annoyed when doctors ask me this. I have different TYPES of pain and each has their own pain level. Deep throbbing pain is a 6 to 6 1/2, sharp and stabbing pain is an 8, my pain which feels like my funny bone got hit is a 5-5 1/2. Not only do I have different types of pain, but it varies day to day. Sometimes it throbs more, sometimes it "cuts" more, and it moves from place to place.

And sometimes they will ask me what my pain is at that very moment. Well it could be a 5 at that VERY moment, but monets before, it could have been an 8.

Lower Back Pain Forever?

girlsmommy — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 09:23:03 -0800

So at 16 I was diagnosed with Spondylolesthisis of L5 on S1 along with Spina Bifida Occulta. At 37 it was at a Acute on chronic grade 2 Spondylolesthesis with cauda equina syndrome. So the Dr.'s did an emergency Decompression and L4-S1 USS instrumental fusion a 7 1/2 hour operation. I was in hospital for 3 weeks following surgery. I thought I was fixed. Well not quite that easy...First i did nothing except "watch the grass grow" as my Dr. said then after the year I thought I would be better. Well was I ever wrong!

Link for Dr. Reviews in YOUR area (written by patients)

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 07:06:21 -0800

I found this great site a month ago and figured I should post it here. You can search for doctors in your area and read how other patients rated their service. This came in handy for my first Cervical ESI. The doctor who I was SUPPOSED to see, had very bad reviews, so I switched asap.

Not EVERY doctor is listed on this site, but I found quite a few in my area I had seen. You can also write your own review to warn other people or let them know you had a good experience.

http://www.ratemds.com/social/

why is back and legs pain so difficult to recover from?

straker — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 03:59:27 -0800

i think that most of you lovely people know me by now so i wont go on about my problems .only in reference .my question is .why is post back surgery so painful and with long term pain implication.i ask because my mum at age 70 has had an aortic aneurysm repaired 5 months ago and she is fine now she does not even need pain relief.and she has a 16 inch cut down her front .so why does my 6 inch scar give me such hell .and why do most people that have had back operations then suffer with chronic pain ?? after all we have had an operation to fix us ..right?? so why the pain?? any one??
STRAKER

Does chronic pain keep developing new thing in the body?

ButterflyPain — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 13:31:09 -0800

My chronic pain started a little over a year ago. First with headaches, then left sided neck pain and stiffness at night, with some numb tingling in hands. Then the neck pain got worse and went up behind the ear and back of head with head aches, and in the shoulder. Then it went down the left shoulder into the left arm pain. Then it went into my left leg and hip. Then the left arm started having a bit of weakness and my left wrist and hand is weaker with a much weaker grip than my right hand. Then I started getting lumbar pain and mid spine pain especially if I sit a lot lately.

Can I move a post?

telula68 — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 09:20:04 -0800

Is it ok to move my posts to this Forum? I wrote alot in the welcome forum but I think It probably won't be seen as much as would on this one.
Telula

Chronic pain and desk jobs

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 07:47:04 -0800

I noticed that my pain subsides a bit on the weekend. It doesn't disappear completely, but it's not as severe and my pain is more intermittent.

While I am at work during the week (I'm a bookkeeper), My pain seems to be worse and more constant. Do you think it's because I am sitting 8 hours a day? I get up every now and then for some water, but for the most part I'm in a chair.

Continuing Back Pain 3 Months Post Spine Fusion

donna1946 — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 14:19:51 -0800

Hi Everyone:

I will be three months post spine fusion on March 2. I am 62 years old and in pretty good health. I work full time and returned to work mid January part time and past two weeks put in full days. I work in an office environment and do spend quite a bit of time at my desk.

My concerns at this point are my pain meds and should I still need them. I am currently on hydrocodone 5/500 and need to take one every 4 to 5 hours. I have tried to cut back to 1/2 pill but that did not relieve the pain. I also tried going with Tylenol only which also provided little relief.

whole new direction -- frightening!

jay911 — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 12:22:40 -0800

Over the past year I've made countless doctor visits and had many procedures done. Only one procedure was effective, my very first ESI. My frustration has been growing and I have been worsening steadily...slowly until December but at a quicker pace since then. My PM doc told me last month that he had exhausted all of the things he could do and he was referring me to see a surgeon. The first visit was with an orthopedic surgeon who was validating my parking when he walked in the door. He told me that mechanically I was fine and no surgery would be beneficial.

Where am I

dave80909 — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 10:45:42 -0800

I cant stand up or walk..I was in bed all day
yesterday. Everyone, I mean Everyone has been trying
to get me to the ER. After a good
nights rest, and a good cry i feel better.

accidently hit ignore in chatroom

REMZY — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 07:31:26 -0800

hey all acidently hit the ignore button in chatroom yesterday and its causing all kinds of problems in there. anyone know how to fixy, or contact mods. so far mods have always contacted me, hahaha, just kiddin.. anyone help...pleae?? the rem dog

Walking Epidurals

dorset boy — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 02:29:37 -0800

Another member in the UK has mentioned that she is going to have a walking epidural & I haven't heard of them - can any one shed any light on this & if so what conditions could it help?

Also any info on how a permanent nerve block works/is done would also be appreciated as if my next set of facet joint injections & ganglian nerve blocks work pain clinic dr is suggesting making them permanent.

getting rid of chronic pain

Rick PT — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 19:00:52 -0800

Thread deleted after review by Spine-Health owners.
I have contacted the submitter to explain other options

new pain and it's not back

terror8396 — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 12:39:23 -0800

i have had 3 fusions 1 lamenectomy kidney stones, broken bones but now i have experienced a new form of pain which some of you probably have had
gout

What have you had to sacrifice because of your chronic pain?

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 08:47:03 -0800

*playing with my son. he used to love rough housing with me.
*cycling
*dancing with my friends
*going for long walks with my dog
*parties
*sleep! i miss being able to sleep through the night

Scared and I can't stop crying

Plumpplum — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:57:29 -0800

I am finding it impossible to cope with the constant pain in my lower back which I have had for over a year now. I am unable to sit for more than a minute without excruciating pain so spend my life lying down, swaying or pacing about. Nothing gives me pleasure anymore and I have nothing to look forward to anymore. To be honest, the quality of my life is so awful that if I was one of my beloved dogs, I would have me put down today.

no dr will touch you.

motelman99 — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 12:41:14 -0800

hi everyone,i;ve been told twice now that no one will ever touch my back or neck with a 10 foot pole...why would drs even say this?one is my pm the other was and oth.makes me think i;m redflaged somehow.

Similar Websites Based in the UK

dorset boy — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 07:09:01 -0800

Hi Guys,
I really find this website useful, but the time differences does mean that quite often i wouldn't find any one around to chat to.
Does anyone know of a UK or European based site? I have done a quick check around but there doesn't seem to be much around!

Pilates Exercises and low back pain

jr_really — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 08:11:10 -0800

My last physical therapist told me to look into Pilates. I must say that the last therapist was a big disappointment - they made it clear that they liked a challange and that my case was challanging but after 12 weeks basically said you are on your own we cannot help you any further. The doctor has said that they will not refer me to any more physical therapists because the ones that I've seen are very good - I've seen 7 in the last 1 1/2 years. Yet they say there is nothing that can be done surgically.

S/P L4 - S1 ant/post fusion dx with anesthesia dolorosa(?)He

puffy — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 05:19:07 -0800

I want to give up...already.

texasgirl4 — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 00:45:09 -0800

I turned 21 two months ago. At the age of 16, I was diagnosed with a bulging disc in my low back. Was sent to rehab -- got better.

This last summer I was water skiing (as I have every summer) and reinjured it. I couldn't walk the rest of the wknd or go up stairs the next few wks. I went to see a new doc, one that is very well respected in my area.

My whole body hurts worse because of the weather..

hisbeauty4ashes — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:51:14 -0800

Hi everyone,

I have had a total of 12 surgeries. I have had five surgeries over the last fourteen months. The weather is cold here in California and it has been raining allot and I feel pain all over my body and it HURTS! Is anyone experiencing this? Do you hurt worse in cold wet weather. I had over the last fourteen months, one foot surgery, two back surgeries, and two neck surgeries and they hurt real bad.

Anyways thanks for listening.
Jeanie

bone graft pain

janiski — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 13:21:11 -0800

I have had 2 fusions, the 2nd one L1-L5 with all the bells and whistles, including a bone graft from my hip. I know that bone grafts are very painful, sometimes lasting longer than the surgery pain itself. Has anyone had any problems with lingering bone graft pain?? I am 15 months post surgery. My doc says it could be scar tissue or nerve pain.

Jani

Spinal stenosis, spondolysis, spondolythesis, L4/L5 laminectomy, L4/L5 360 fusion with instrumentation, L1 to L5 fusion with bone graft from hip, PT, accupuncture, prolotherapy, many cortisone injections, 4 rhizotomies.

What is too much scar tissue?

backman38 — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 18:21:15 -0800

Hi,

I've been recovering from back surgery for the last 4 months. I overdid it once and paid for it. Ha, I guess disco dancing is out for now. So, could scar tissue be responsible for my flare up of pain? Is scar tissue pain continuous or intermittant? What is a little bit of scar tissue and what is alot. Would a radiologist point it out from the MRI report? How would he describe it?

Please help,

Backman38

pain continues 2 years after cervical surgery

sabby — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 15:39:31 -0800

I had cervical disc replacement at C5,C6 December 06. The neck, shoulder and arm pain and numbness eased at first but never left. My neuro said I should be able to play tennis 6 weeks after the surgery, never happened. 6 months, 12 months, 18 months 2 years, numerous months of therapy pain worsened. Neuro sent me to ortho and he after 6 steriod injections in the shoulder, had a rotator cuff repair and release of nerve impingement. Still 2-1/2 years I still have no pain relief.

Lower Back Pain

Rob_Smith — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 09:05:14 -0800

After two Back Fusions over the last two years from L2 to S1 my impinged nerve pain has subsided but chronic pain at night when lying down has become a real problem.

When sitting, standing or walking short distances my back is OK, but when I try and go to bed to sleep it aches and aches.

It is predominately into the lower rump section on either side but there is chronic pain in the spinal area if I tense up my lower back.

Any suggestions.

Back pain

lconroy — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 12:16:12 -0800

Any advise encouragement, anything. I know everyone is different.My last surgery there was so much scar tissue from my first surgery and the infection that sat in there for so long. It took 7 months of IV vancomyocin to cure it. It was a long road....I have been at this since I have been 35 that was 5 years ago. I feel like I skipped those years. I would like to get them back. What I don't get it this squeezing pain from my hips/groin all the way down my legs. It is like labor pains but worse. I can't sleep and I have no relief. I am not on any pain meds, just lyrica. Maybe I should be.

loose pedicle screws

shaneb — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 09:08:29 -0800

I've had 4 fusions resulting in levels l3-s1 total fusion and still having horrific pain. After harrasing my pain specialists he ordered more imaging and sent me back to surgeon. He found loose pedicle screw and misaligned pedicle screw. I have a real bad popping-grinding sound in lower back(Dr. said it is muscle) and cant get any further answers except that they want to install a spinal stimulator. Does anybody have ANY advice or info?

Hey, it's me....back with a diagnosis after all this time

tawny-taz — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 07:16:05 -0800

I finally have some answers to symptoms I thought for sure was related to my back and CES. 5 days ago they diagnosed me with Parkinson's disease. Not exactly what you want to hear when you have a back that is pretty well destroyed but the diagnosis is not as bad as the not knowing.

SEVERE pain after poster fusion and MVA!

marybeth1986 — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 21:40:08 -0800

My name is Mary. I am 22 years old, was diagnosed with advanced scoliosis at age 11 and underwent the standard posterior spinal fusion (T1 - L1) with harrington rods. Surgery was done in 1998. I had moderate pain for years following the surgery, but assumed that it was something I would just have to live with, seeing as this was a pretty invasive surgery. Well, as if this wasn't bad enough, I was involved in a really bad MVA in 2005, in which I pulled into oncoming traffic in the path of a fully-loaded 13-ton dump truck travelling at around 35+ mph.

update on my frozen shoulder

leocat46 — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 13:09:41 -0800

hello i just thought i would let you know that i had my MUA last tues. it seems to have helped , i think it could have been a little bit of everything. he shot me me up with plenty of demerol, while i was in there, plus gave me a cortizone shot while i was under. gave me script for perc's . and i started physical therapy the next day. p.t. is very hard, especially when she stretches me, i cry in pain so bad, the scar tissue is still in there, and i know i have to keep it moving, but it is like torcher!

pain with no help from doctors

openhorizen — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 12:04:02 -0800

hello everybody new here but maybe somebody can help or give advise. i have a really complicated case that i can't explain or the doctors.it all started on the 23rd of january normal day for me at work.i run a concrete pump well of course that day it just happen to get stopped up so i do what i am supposed to get the clog out.worked on it for about 1 hr and 45 min ok got the plug out some pain in lower and middle back.

Why does some people can be operated and others can't

maset22 — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 16:31:08 -0800

I am so frustrated with pain all over, wondering why my doctors are choosing so conservative treatment like pain management. The pills work but, I am still in pain and just been alive and not living, starting with my cervical lordosis at C2-C3 diffuse disc bulg causing affacement of thecal sac at C3-C4 a disc osteophyte complex, inpinging on the spinal cord. C4-C5 disc osteophyte complex causing central spinal stenosis and impinges on spinal cord.

Suboxone

Patti Sands — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 14:36:08 -0800

I am on suboxone and have been on it for 8 months I take 3 of them a day and my pain is getting worse. Their is alot more things starting to go wrong with my body. The thing we do to are body when we we are young. Oh to be able to change things. But you can't change the past just hope the good Lord give you a long life. but to ask if any one knows how much of suboxone you can be on and if it every take away all the pain?

numb knee

motelman99 — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 09:33:28 -0800

after my last surgery,i woke up and the first thing i felt was my knee and shin being numb.my neruo said it had nothing to do with my back and sent me to a pain clinic.that dr had me get a mri and said my knee was out and gave me a shot.well about 3 mo later it started bothering me again.the pm dr said i would need knee surgery and sent me to a orth.he said its not my knee.maybe a little artritice and some bone on bone.he said its coming from my back....then out of nowhere he said no dr will ever thouch me with a 10 foot pole,meaning doing surgery on me.why would he say something like that to

MR images review

Keano16 — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 09:45:13 -0800

Hi and sorry if I used a wrong-sub forum...

is there any MD here (or anyone else educated for this), willing to look at my mother's MR images?

Thanks in advance,
Roberto

Bone contusion?

graysayhk — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 08:38:05 -0800

After 2 months of pain in my tailbone, I finally got an MRI and the results say that I have a contusion on my tailbone. My doc was very flippant about it (like it shouldn't be hurting that much) and only refilled half of my current prescription because she said it would only take me a week to get in to see an ortho. Well I called the ortho she recommended and they don't even TREAT tailbone contusions!

Leocat?

JustMe — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 10:43:21 -0800

Has anyone heard from Leocat? I believe she was to have an MUV on Feb. 6th. Does anyone know how it went? and how she is doing?
Justme

Arm Pain

frustratedandhopeful — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 17:09:36 -0800

Hi, I crushed my arm in a machine at work a little over 2 years ago. Since February of '07 pain management doctors have been recommending a spinal cord stimulator to relieve the chronic pain that all the pain meds couldnt control. Worker's compensation has spent the last 2 years giving me the run around - constantly changing doctors and using the same treatments over and over. I have had a total of 10 ganglion nerve blocks in my neck, I have been to occupational therapy 4 times, 2 surgeries, and so many drugs and pain pathches that I think they have fried my brain - lol.

Any comments/suggestions on Spinal Fusion?

dawn of a painfree day — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 15:53:23 -0800

Greetings all,
I saw the Neurosurgeon last week regarding my recent onset of chronic lower back pain. I was so sure he would offer a solution that I could hardly wait to get to that appointment. Wow, was I ever disappointed. He informed me that the "only" solution for my multiple disorders was spinal fusion of the L4-5 lumbar spine. But! Before that can happen I have to go completely off all pain meds!? I found this quite odd. Has anyone else out there been told this prior to fusion surgery? Any and all advice will be appreciated

Hi to All

maset22 — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 14:21:43 -0800

Just been new to this site, I erased by mistake my intro post. anyway my name is Dan, and I have multiple anomalies in my spine. I found that out at 17 been a soldier in the US Army, after hanging out there for 22 years, I wound out at the USPS. now 52 I hurt all over from my neck to my hips and legs. Well really happy to find you'll so we can share and help each other.

Just a hello

maset22 — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 13:56:34 -0800

Hi, just found this site, and I am glad to introduce myself. My name is Dan, and I was born with multiple anomalies in my spine. Did not know about my condition until I was 17 and was in the US Army. After 22 years of service in that org. I was lucky to be employed at the USPS. Now I am 52 and with chronic pain from neck to hips. Thanks to all that will respond to my post, so we can help each other.

i am having an appalling day

straker — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 06:23:59 -0800

i was due to go to my local hospital to day for a chrones check but i am so bad with my back i don't feel well enough to drive there so i have cancelled and i am going to rest.i seem to be having more and more days like this
STRAKER

Its hurting way to much, yet tests show very little

matthewj — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 12:58:38 -0800

For the past 4 years I have been dealing with pain, since the first time it started to hurt to now it has gotten extremly worse. I'm at the point now where it takes me an hour to two hours just to get out of bed cause the pain is so severe. I take 36mg per day of Hydromorph Contin, as well as 1000mg per day of Naproxen for any inflamation. I have had X-rays, CT scans and MRI's done and they arn't really showing a whole lot. I have also had every type of blood test done, the only abnormality is I have elevated levels of the HLA-B27 blood gene.

owweee

Ranchhand — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 07:30:45 -0800

Yes, it hurts
no, it never goes away
yes, ime having a bad day
no, it doesnt get better
yes, its bad
no, I cant walk any faster
Yes, Ime cranky
No, meds dont touch it
Yes,I am trying my hardest
No, its never good enough
welcome to the world of the chronic spiney
carry on!

thank for your support regarding my MRI scan {12 Feb 09}

straker — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 07:05:23 -0800

i would not normally be bothered about a scan ,,but something tells me that it is going to be bad news i just have a feeling..lets hope that i am wrong!
STRAKER

May I please ask for prayers?

topfuelfan — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:39:20 -0800

This normally wouldn't be the topic that I would post this on but there is a reason that I did. I would like to ask for prayers for two people in my life who've recently been injured. My hope is that they don't have to end up here looking for support for chronic pain someday.

Neck and Back Pain and Muscle Spasms

backpainsuffer — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:58:19 -0800

Hi Everyone my name is Colleen

I have been suffering from severe neck pain, back pain and muscle spasms due car accidents. I have done some research and start my own web business to assist me and others with their neck, back and muscle spasms. I invite you to check my website www.EDITED.com

[=red]Standards agreement and posting rules

My husband would really like to hear feedback

DomesticAdvocate — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 08:05:43 -0800

from other people that have endured back injuries to the vertebrae to see if they are constantly exhausted. He feels like he could sleep for 18 hours a day. He pushes himself to move and sit up but he said he is constantly tired.

Does anyone know why this is happening? Before the accident he was very active and did not require much sleep. I thought it might be the medication, then I thought it might be because he is healing and his body needs sleep to heal..but 18 hours seems like a very long time to be exhausted.

Pudendal Pain?

missmissy — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 22:28:20 -0800

Hello. I am confused and need some advice please. I've had chronic vaginal pain for about 3 years now and have seen dr. after dr. w/little help. Finally I went to a specialist and she suggested I may have pudenal neuralgia. So I went to the pudendal specialist and upon telling him my symptoms he was pretty sure I did have PN. But when he physically examined me he wasn't able to stimulate the nerve or reproduce the pain. So he sent me to a PT who is familiar w/PN and she, too, wasn't able to stimulate the nerve and concluded I did not have PN.

Just need someone to talk to about my pain

Franspain — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 21:18:57 -0800

Although my dh and friends know I am in pain, I am not sure they really can understand how I feel. I have been for 3 MRIS, numerous xrays, blood tests, 2 chiropractors, 5 pain mgt drs, 3 rheumatologists, 2 neurosurgeon, 1 acupuncturist, 1 neurologist, one orthopedist, and 3 physical therapists!! I have had 6 sets of differnt types of injections in my back, physical therapy, including aqua therapy, decompression therapy table, and acupuncture. I have tried vicodin, tylenol w/codeine, gabapenti, lyrica, cymbalta, elavil and prednisone twice, none of which have worked!!!!

Are you in charge or your DR.??????

ToYoungforThis — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 17:49:38 -0800

Over the years I have been relying on my Dr.s for the direction of treatment and how to handle my current situation...But I am thinking I have been wrong and progress has been very little.......

So it a big ????? who is in charge of treatment and long tearm care..Well sad to say but it is yourself, I have had to learn as much about spine and joint and muscle dysfuction as possible, because there is a point where the treatment just stops and its up to you as the ending results.

pain

micklp66 — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 16:08:17 -0800

anyone else been diagnosed with facet joint disease? (cervical spine)? i go to pain managment often, shotsect nothing works, pain levels get out of control and med's don't touch it..

Pain in my butt when sitting

j-goldie — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 14:57:00 -0800

I have horrible ongoing pain in my butt when i sit for more that 5 minutes. Does anyone have a problem with this?

having a spinal stimulator implanted thorasic region of the spine

charis — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 13:37:36 -0800

could anyone give me some information on spinal stimulator surgery. i went and had the trial done now i am going on the 27th to have the impant done. my surgeon told me it was going to be very painful because after he cuts through the skin he is going to have to spread my muscles to get to my spine to place the lead. he told me the local will not help with the pain while he spreads the muscle so i will be in extreme pain for about 15 minutes. has anyone else had this type of surgery and if so can you tell me how painful it really is?

Chronic pain and exercise

jr_really — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 20:54:33 -0800

Hi All

I am confused by some statements that I have heard about chronic pain and exercise.

1. Chronic pain does not mean that damage is being done. So how do I tell if I am causing more damage to my body if the pain is not an indicator?

2. Don't be afraid to move with pain, yet every PT that I have had says not to do any exercise if it causes pain?

3. Being afraid to move is increasing your pain. - I hurt when I move however I continue to move in spite of the pain. What does being afraid to move look like?

Adjusting to Extended Release Meds

optimist — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 20:46:59 -0800

My PM has been trying to switch me from shorter half-life drugs to ER meds for better pain control and because I just didn't tolerate the way meds like Perocet made me feel (very unpleasant feeling, anxious) and only an incomplete pain relief of about an hour or so. So far I have tried Opana, MSContin and Kadian - none have given me significant pain relief but did give me such an unpleasant feeling and mood (even at the lowest dose possible) that I don't even want to think about increasing the dose recommended by my doc for pain control for fear those side effects will just be more prominent.

Life with Pain

spunky21 — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 01:51:03 -0800

Since I rarely sleep at night, I take this time to read what others like me are doing to deal with their pain. My life has taken such a turn and I wonder if anyone feels the same.
I read the posts and it seems like so many are able to or push themselves to function at a much higher scale than myself.

pain management

Refugee — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:11:03 -0800

I had my surgery in july 2007. I have been on pain meds and lyrica , naproxyn. I go back to my dr next week for bone density results-told me not good???

New and in need of support...

elaine_82 — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 23:33:13 -0800

Hello to all,

This is my first post on this site. In pain, can't sleep, and looking for support.

I am 26, in college and work full time. About a year and a half ago I started having upper right back pain. Over the past year and a half it's only gotten worse. I don't have health insurance so I've been getting as much help that I can find through clinics, etc.

Pain from severe Rheumotoid Arthrities

Moldova — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 08:51:10 -0800

Hi there! I wonder if anybody here can share with me their story about leaving with RA.
I was dx with MS and RA on a summer of "08.
I have a lots of other problems due to my spinal surgeries, but this is different.
I have a lots of pain in every joint of my body + soft tissues. Pain in my elbows and swollenes of the hands and elbows was very bad and DR ordered MRI of the elbows and arms.
It came back so scary! Not only I have RA changes in every bone, but I got tears and ruptures in my tendons, ligaments and muscles. I am loosing use of my arms and hands.

Ming's(Michele) Update

Ming — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 21:21:47 -0800

Hey Guys,

I thought I would give you guys and update. I haven't posted any of my own stuff lately, just replying to others. I was just in chat by accident and couldn't beleive how many people were awake.

Let me start by saying I love you guys and am so glad that I found this site. It's help me in so many ways.

Sad to say, losing my job due to chronic pain

deltalady — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 15:22:35 -0800

Well, I've fought the good fight but pain has won. My wonderful good paying job that I love is going to go to someone else very soon because I can't make it to work every day due to my pain levels. The thought of no income, paying for Cobra and no relief from this sciatic pain just is overwhelming. Some times my anxiety is very high and other times I'm just resigned to the fact that my life is not like it used to be but I'll get through it.

perception of others

nmac — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 07:53:23 -0800

At work I heard a conversation about pain by my coworkers. We all are OT's and PT's. I was really surprised how they felt about pain meds. They seem to really be very neg. about the use of pain meds for the control of chronic pain. I have been using have been using pain meds for 2 years for my DDD of my whole spine and Osteo of my hip. It helps me get some much needed sleep. I do excercise but if I was unable to sleep I wouldn't be able to continue to work full time. I am closely monitored by my PCP.

SWIMMING

straker — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 04:18:51 -0800

hi all
i have just started swimming .as its the only thing that i can do .although i have not noticed any reduction in pain yet .i am hoping that i will in the future .i am lost for things to do as physio /chiro and pain clinic have not done me any good i thought that a gentle swim twice a week may help and also help remove some unwanted flab!! .do any off you nice people swim??
STRAKER

New Developments

cwish001 — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:00:46 -0800

Hello Everyone,

Why does no one seem to care?

ScottM — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 17:52:58 -0800

Everyday I deal with pain. Some days better than other. I expend a great amount of energy in order to function and cope as best I can. I'm certainly not crippled, but it hurts to do a lot of things.

But nobody seems to acknowledge I have a problem. They are still nasty to me at work. Sadly, I don't think they really care how much I suffer. No compassion or anything. But I feel trapped there, because I wouldn't feel right getting another job the way I am now. Too much meds and pain and it takes a lot of energy to concentrate and stick to it.

Has anyone had one level fused and prodis c in another?

benyonm — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 04:25:09 -0800

Hi my name is Maria, I had a c5/6 fusion Feb 05 and a prestige Prodis C in Dec 05 after a car accident. I believe and now know it is not a good combination. I am trying to contact other people who have had the same combination and know about their outcome.
Best wishes to you all

Lyrica vs Neurontin

Drea — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 05:40:42 -0800

Tuesday ... 1/27/09 ... Lyrica vs Neurontin

Hello to all folks out there suffering from pain ... in particular ... DPN (Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy).
I am 58 yrs young *s* and have suffered from this over the past 15 years.

I was taking Neurontin (a gradual build up to 3000 mgs daily) and it worked well for me, for a long time ... or I should say, "Making pain & burning. at least tolerable" ... that I could 'function'.

PLIF 18 mos ago

lisa_ec1 — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 18:49:34 -0800

Hello everyone its been a long time since Ive been here but it does not mean ive been great..

Rradio frequency of the cervical facet joints

krisinkansas — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 16:08:57 -0800

Has anyone heard of this treatment for chronic pain? I would like to find out more about it.

I have suffered worse and worse chronic pain from Fibromyalgia. I couldn't function for years. I now where a 100 mg. pain patch, percocet, lyrica, muscle relaxers, trazadone, lexapro, etc.etc. I am sick of handfuls of pills and sick of pain. I am 47 years old and feel like 80. My kids don't get it and my husband tries.

Thanks for listening

RSD has spread !

leocat46 — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 15:58:43 -0800

hello i don't know if anyone can relate to this or not, since it is rare. but i usually post in the neck pain forums. but i was diagnosed with RSD (also know as chronic pain syndrome) , or reflex sympathetic dystrophy. following my rotary cuff repair back in aug. of last yr. 2008. it is a neurological disease that can effect the limbs of the body, and it can spread through other parts of the body as well. in my case it has started out in my shoulder, and now is in my neck something bad. i have seen 5 different kinds of drs.

Pain Flares

stockbroker — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 11:18:24 -0800

PAIN FLARES, the bane of my(our?)existance. Why do they occur? What can we do to deal with them? I hope this isn't a topic thatr has been done to death but I had a flare last year that lasted 32 days. I didn't think I could make it through. Its more typical to have a flare that lasts 7 to 10 days. The year before last I hads one that lasted 20+ days. If I had just my normal pain to deal with, my life would be easy. I wouldn't complain (well maybe/ I would but not about my pain). If I could tame the pain flares, I could handle everything. What do you all think? Susan.

ACTICARE

straker — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 21:28:30 -0800

hi all
i was wondering if anyone uses this unit and what you think about it .i use mine every day and i have found it to be a valuable tool in the fight against chronic pain ..anyone got any good /bad experience's with acticare?
STRAKER

What are guests looking for ?

John — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 02:44:53 -0800

What are guests looking for, we all arrive here at every stage of pain or need for more knowledge and information. Have we helped, can you help us.

John

Hello From Delmarva

cpwheels — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 12:12:06 -0800

Hi, My name is Chuck, I live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland,. I'm a T-8 paraplegic with severe abdominal spasms and pain. Even though I deal with alot of pain I'm still a happy optimistic person always looking for someone to laugh with or help. If you live in this area or just need a friend to talk to anytime day or night let me know and I will try to be there for you. Face Piles of Trials with Smiles ! Good day

Living with severe pain

cpwheels — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 12:02:52 -0800

I have been taking Meds for over 10 years for pain. Looks like I may be on them the rest of my life. I hope not but there doesn't seem to be much new treatment for my condition. I'm a paraplegic T-8 with sever abdominal pain and spasms. I havce had every test there is but they can't find why I get such painful spasms all the time. I'm a very happy optimistic type person, but dealing with pain issues alot of the time can limit your exposure to people and having fun.

swollen and numb toes

t9crushed — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 07:45:06 -0800

This is an odd one but I figured I would take a shot and see if anyone has heard of this.

My left foot and toes started varying degrees of numbness within a year of my accident. (13 years ago)They checked my sciatica and ruled that out, but it was never a big deal. Then about three years ago my right foot started getting the same thing. It's hard to explain, but they feel kind of numb, kind of pain, not on the skin more like the bones. I thought maybe it was poor circulation but the doctor said I still had hairy toes.!

Leg and back pain

Inpainallthetime — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 12:37:50 -0800

Looking for advice on neurostimulators and pain pumps. I have had three lower back surgeries (2 fusions) and pain is worse now than ever before. I currently take oral morphine, oxycodone (breakthru pain), two muscle relaxers and anti-inflamatory drugs. I ahve also tried many other drugs such as Neurontin, Cymbalta, Lyrica, etc. I have bilateral leg and lower back pain that totally controls my life and considering a neurostimulator or pain pump. When the pain gets horrible I develop terrible headaches.

Fluoride linked to Arthritis

nyscof — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 04:26:38 -0800

A 52-year-old American man's arthritic-like joint pain and immobility went away after he stopped brushing his teeth with fluoridated toothpaste, according to a
study in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research(1).

There's no scientific dispute that large fluoride doses cause crippling skeletal fluorosis over time. (See. http://www.nalgonda.org/fluorosis/victims.htm )
But, "less well-known causes of chronic fluoride toxicity include fluoride supplements, certain teas and wine and some toothpastes," report researchers Kurland, et al.(1)

medial branch block

sleeping bear — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 21:19:49 -0800

hi everyone, i have ddd,radialculopathy,and a tear in my L5,S1 disc. ive had several root nerve injections and last week i had a medial branch block. and i have been in horrible pain ever since. although, it helped the pain in my left leg the pain in my lower back has worsened by the day. has anyone else had this experience? i am having a really hard time so any advice on how to deal with this would be greatly appreciated. i know not all docs do the same thing but has anyone had the block fail? if so what else did you have done? thank you in advance for any advice anyone has.

First post last week

Tpullan1 — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 21:00:47 -0800

Hello, my name is Timothy Pullan. Last week i POSTED FOR MY FIRST TIME UNDER Conditions worsening under CHRONIC PAIN . I also posted for my mother who recently had 4 lumbars fused and now has osteoarthritis in her knees (SHE IS UNDER ARTHRITIS AND OSTEARTHRITIS) . I am new to this site and not certain how it works, but please feel free to look up both my topics. We both need encouragement and advice from people going through the same problems. Thank You.

How do I approach a pharmacist about a specific type of Percocet?

Dumbjaw — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 17:17:44 -0800

I've posted before and found this forum to be especially helpful and honest. It's difficult to find message boards about chronic pain these days that isn't largely rampant with narcotic abusers in denial.

I get prescribed 120 10mg oxycodones per month to help me deal with my fairly severe scoliosis pain. I generally just go to whatever pharmacy is the most convenient for me to get to; Rite Aid, Walgreens, CVS, etc. These chains are all under contract from various pharmaceutical companies to use them exclusively.

What kind of life do you have after SEVERAL SURGERIES and CHRONIC PAIN???

ToYoungforThis — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 04:44:35 -0800

There has to be breaking point somewhere here I just Picture being like this for my whole life. I have not posted in awhile and this one is going to be long so read on or stop.

What is your opinion? Scoliosis, psoratic arthritis, or something else?

truckerswife — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 00:48:31 -0800

Thank goodness I finally found a good forum!

anyone have inj in thoracic for chronic pain?????

jobee — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 18:03:55 -0800

If so how long did it last? What other treatments have you tried? Thanks!!!!

permanent back ache even after pain killers

straker — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 14:00:28 -0800

hi all
i think that the title says it all ! is anyone like this?my pain killers take the top of the leg pain and some of the back ache BUT they do not remove all the back ache
i use ache /pain because they are different sensations.my back feels like i have done a million sit ups with an elephant on my chest.that's after pain killers and my leg just feels like it does after cramp {the calf bit and foot} the rest of the leg feels like it belongs to someone else!.can anyone relate to this or something like it??
STRAKER

Operation Date Set ..At Last!!

Tig — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 08:57:59 -0800

Well the date for my op has been set for 20th February, oh at last, I have been jumping through all the hoops since November 2007. I am having the bulging disc at C5/6 removed and an Osteophyte at the same level which is occluding the nerve orifice to my arms. I know it will not be a picnic, but oh I do so need it done. The Physio has talked through the extended treatment plan for post op so I will be busy for the next 18 months or so.

Life Expectancy w/ Chronic Pain

clarencediggs — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 20:52:12 -0800

Just wondering...

Vertebral edema?? Please Help!

TiffanyTerror — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 20:54:16 -0800

Hi everyone,

I saw a pain management doctor friend of mine today who reviewed my MRI films for me.

He told me the usual..that I have disc bulges/nerve impingement etc etc. He also said that my L5-S1 vertebrae had degenerated to the point where there was edema in my vertebrae? It shoes up as white areas on the MRI. He said it was disc fluid that has penetrated the vertebrae.

I have never heard of this before...maybe he is wording it differently than usual or something? I tried googling it several ways but only came up with vertebral fractures causing edema.

Bertolloti Syndrome Help!!!!

texas1234 — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 09:22:41 -0800

Can Bertolloti syndrome cause severe lower neck/shoulder pain????

PINCHED NERVE IN CHEST---WAS REALLY STOMACH CANCER

toHellandBack — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:24:03 -0800

dON;T WANT WHAT HAPPENED TO ME-TO HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE. fOR THREE YEARS I HAD THE AWFUL PAIN THAT WENT THREW MY CHEST-SHARPE KNIFE LIKE. THE DISNOSES WAS A PINCHED NERVE IN MY CHEST,SINCE WHEN I WAS YOUNGER I BROKE MY UPPER BACK. wENT THREW EVERY PROCEDURE YOU CAN THINK OF-INCLUDING 2 HOSPITOL STAYS CASUE THEY THOUGHT IT WAS MY HEART. wELL AFTER I STARTED THROWING UP BLOOD 3 YEARS INTO THE PINCHED NERVE------FINALLY-I WENT TO A NEW HOSPITOL...AND BEHOLD.I HAD MALT LYPHOMA-A MILD FORM

eeoc

terror8396 — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 10:44:11 -0800

has anyone filled charges with the eoc? due to failure of accomodations and forcing me to go back to work before i was ready, i am contacting the eeoc. i filled out the form and have sent it back. this is the form that starts the process,intake questionarre. have you had any luck with charges and have they supported you?

post spinal fusion neck pain..help!

keljoiserhoth — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 10:19:02 -0800

my brother had a spinal fusion last week on his L3, L4 and L5...he currently has a spinal leak but has extreme bad neck pain. is this common? what should he do for this??? anyone who could share their stories with me would be great please. i need some suggestions.

My update

jay911 — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 09:17:35 -0800

Thought I'd put out an update since I'm having a particularly bad week and it helps to try and put my scrambled, random thoughts down...decreases my frustration a bit!

i am sorry mr beer ..there nothing more we can do!

straker — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 08:05:56 -0800

that's what i was greeted with .today at the hospital.i am talking about pain control.
i asked her for another epidural ..she said not a chance because when she did the last one .the needle nearly broke due to the amount of DDD and scar tissue.there are no more drugs that i can take .and a SCS is out of the question because of the geography of my back.all she is going to do is another MRI scan to see why there has been such a dramatic deterioration of my lower spine
wonderful news i don't think so!
STRAKER

13 1/2 weeks out. Need some help.

wilby21 — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 18:31:21 -0800

Well 13 weeks out and I still have lots of pain, still going down the right leg to the foot.
I am still wearing the brace that I have to wear untill the nineteenth of Jan.
I am still on alot of meds. Major Drugs.
Have file for SSDI back in June of 08 nothing yet.
Have almost zero out our savings, holding our Breath, that this would work,
Scott Russo." perforned the surgery, I had Bars put in to hold up my spine, My other Nero, left me in the dark, He said that learn to live with the pain.
I was hurt when I fell on a piece of Ice at work,

Discal Biacuplasty

namdog55 — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 17:35:57 -0800

Hi all...
Has anyone heard of this procedure? It give patients suffering from chronic discogenic pain a new minimally invasive option to treat their symptoms. It sounds similar to IDET (which I understand the success rate is not good) but uses a bilateral approach & lower temperature needles to treat the disc/nerves.
Apparently there is a clinical trial currently in progress, so the procedure isn't covered under insurance. I emailed the trial sponsor & waiting a reply. Just wondering if was suggested to anyone else? I couldn't find any hits on the forum.

new patient

k3pain — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 16:21:54 -0800

hi, i started researching my condition a year ago and i always end up here,and find the best advice over the internet,but i never posted before, so here goes.

Conditions getting worse.

Tpullan1 — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 10:03:02 -0800

Last January, I had an MRI done on my lumbar region. There is some minimal disk bulging at L4-5 and neural foramina are patent.L5-S1, there is amoderate-sized broad based posterior disk protrusion, which touches the traversing bilateral S1 nerve roots with mild facet arthrosis. There is congenital narrowing of the spinal canal seen throughout the lumbar region, due to short pedicles. I have been taking medications and they don't seem to be working and most nights, I have to jump into the shower and put straight hot water, from the shower head on my lower back.

PM Appt...update on my pain! Had Injections. Myofacial pain

Misty Spirit — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 06:27:08 -0800

Hey all,
Sorry about going MIA for a while...

My burning pain as you all know was looked into with the MRI which found nothing going on other then my scoliosis and the hemangioma at T-7 .

I went to my PM on last Thursday. We discussed the burning pain I am having in the thoracic region...say around T-3-through T-7, and inbetween the spine and the scapula.

Upon the pain flarring so much with the PT i was switched to pool therapy which is much better and easier for me with less pain afterward.

Fentanyl patch weaker on day 3

jean jaye — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 03:55:27 -0800

I have been on the Fentanyl 25 patch for almost 4 months now for chronic neck pain. While I have experienced the best pain relief so far on this medication, I am noticing a pattern of break through pain days on the third day - patch change day. I was wondering if anyone else is experiencing the same problem. Within 2 hours of changing my patch, I feel a noticeable difference in the level of pain relief. I know that the patch is designed to last even longer than the 72 hour application time, but I was wondering if anyone else is experiencing this same problem.

lodaderm patches

crashh — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 16:57:15 -0800

So, I now have lidaderm patches. Has ne1 heard of them and or used them for the leg pain/nerve pain. Do they work?? Are they dangerous? Do they help. I was thinking of asking for fetanol patches would that be a good idea. I wake in the middle of the of the nite actually screaming in pain. I still have complete numbness in my right leg from my hip almost down to the middle of my calf. please give me some opinions people, thanks again for everything. Also I was thinking of asking for oxycontin for after my surgery. What kind of meds do they give you after a 2 level fusion.

Help With Groceries

J.J.Grey — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 08:58:07 -0800

If you could use help with your grocery bill, please see my post under Water Cooler. I know that lots of folks could really use this help and not too many people look under Water Cooler. I hope it was OK to post this but I am really trying to get the word out to those in need of help.

Mystery pain

meydey321 — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 10:38:25 -0800

I don't know what went down yesterday afternoon. I had grabbed a couple towels out of the dryer earlier. Around an hour later I got socked with incredible pain in my back over my incision site and muscle spasms in my right leg. It felt like a new pain and I swore that I had herniated something. I was crying and was on the brink of calling PM on call, but decided to wait it out. By 10 pm it was under control while I watched the BCS title game. I have no idea what that was about; getting 2 towels caused all this?

Mystery pain

meydey321 — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 10:37:48 -0800

Worst Leg Pain in my Life

luna_c — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 22:28:31 -0800

Since my discectomy last month BOTH legs are killing me. I have never been in so much pain in my entire life. Never has pain broken me down to a sobbing blob throughout the day. Never, have I ever felt this bad. We have a large family, and my parents moved in with us, so this "conidtion" of mine is affecting a lot of people on a daily basis. It's so bad, there's not a place you could touch on either leg that doesn't have pain. It starts at my navel and goes down both legs and it's constant. I'm up to 100 mg of vicodin a day, and I still cry from the pain.

Pain Specialist not much help....need advice

Witts End — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:14:00 -0800

Hello everyone,

I just discovered this site and my heart goes out to all of of you. I had a spinal fusion and lamenectomy 3/06. I also suffer from fibromyalgia. I had a very caring physician and was prescribed hydrocodone. I saw her once a month to make sure that I was monitored properly. We went through a period that we adjusted my medications and all was fine. I then thought I might benefit from a "pain specialist" to see if there was something other than controlled substances to help with my pain.

I see no light at the end of the tunnel

4jkasper — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:29:23 -0800

I keep hoping I will feel better but it seems things keep going on a downward spiral. I feel very alone around here except for my SH family. All I have to say is thank God for my kids and wonderful husband or I don't know if I would still be here.
I have applied for SSD but got my first denial and am appealing. It kills me to know Iam the reason my family is financially going down fast and there is nothing I can do to help. My husband is working 2 jobs and we NEVER see him anymore, Iam ripping my family apart...
PLEASE pain just give me alittle break, just one day......

Maybe you can have just one perfect day back

anthropisces — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:47:14 -0800

My symptoms in 2005
Very sensitive to anything effecting my lower back.
Bulged, torn disks and such in lower back (lots of em)

My symptoms in 2006
Didn't dare lift anything heavier than 30lbs on advice of physician
Constant back problems presenting EXTREME limitations to lifestyle

My symptoms starting in Feb 2007
First came really extreme back problems and wierd one's too, going into my chest and armpits, not like any pain you can put your finger on, a pressure sort of pain in the thoracic region, also lots of pain in the calves and hamstrings and lower back

Needed : Opinions on different pain med side effects

Rasett — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:31:20 -0800

Hello,

I am a returning member, after a long absence. I had a PLIF done in Jan. 2008, on L5-S1. I was doing great, went back to work after 3-months, then severe pain in my butt, and left leg started.

Another MRI showed nothing my Neurosurgeon could find. I went for a round of Cortisone shots and got much relief from the first two, and no relief from the last one.

My question is this: I am taking Oxycodone 10/325 4 times per day, along with 50 mg tramadol 6 times per day.

MRI results T-spine--update on Pain and QUESTIONS???

Misty Spirit — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 08:33:30 -0800

Hey all,

I got the results of my T-spine MRI. As I suspected there was othing going on in there other then my scoliosis which is considered mild and the hemangioma that is at T-7.
There were no disc herniations and the marrow was unremarkabel which I think meens that they could not see it...not sure...

Disability??

tarheelgirl — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:44:58 -0800

I am just wondering...how many of you are on SSD? I know its very difficult to get approved and over 95% (?) get denied first application. I'm sure many have used your company's or state's short term or long term disability, but was wondering how many were not of social security age, but received the disability benefits?

Driving Dilema

meydey321 — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:54:04 -0800

Hi everyone,

Is there any among you who feel like giving up driving? I have such a hard time with it, and my pain goes up exponentially. My back and sciatica gets really aggravated. The only place I go to is my PM appt. each month, and I drive only when absolutely necessary. I get asked for rides but I just am not reliable and I feel guilty about it. Even if I'm a passenger, it causes me grief. Maybe I need another car

chronic pain and sweating!!

straker — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 05:18:09 -0800

yuk ..i hear you say

Best doc for pain and understanding?

tarheelgirl — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:15:06 -0800

Ok, in all your opinions, who is the best doc to go see for all this pain? I have a good PM (actually my PCP). I have been to an ortho surgeon who is useless...sent to to PT, but conservative with meds and doesn't believe the amount of pain is real. Would an arthritis doc better understand the DDD problems? Or do I really need a psychologist to just listen. I feel so unvalidated...like "so what you have 3-disc cerv DDD and a new herniated disc that is disabling your life". Who is most caring or does it depend on the doctor?

Any folks out there from Healthboards?

Executor — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 21:05:11 -0800

Curious if anyone here posts over @ HB? I would like to re-acquaint with old friends.

Regards,

Coccydynia

Harley-RN — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 09:27:16 -0800

Hi everyone,

Can't Take It

Grace44 — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 23:22:51 -0800

It's been six months since i haven't been able to do anything because of my back. I'm 18 and i couldn't even hang out with my friends on new years eve because i can't stand or sit very long or at all.

I got an epidural in late october, getting another one on the 9th.

I have herniated discs from L4-S1, and a wicked bad muscle spasm in my lower left side, sometimes, i literally can't move my left leg.

I don't sleep well, if at all.

Help! Fentanyl Pain Patches Side effects

debfla — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:56:21 -0800

I need some advice on my Fentanyl Pain Patches and the side effects. Can anyone else out there on these patches let me know the side effects they are experiencing. Some of mine are bizarre and I need to know if anyone else is experiencing anything similiar.

thanks so much....

Pain Psychologist!!

Misty Spirit — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 08:05:56 -0800

Hey everyone...

Given the recent things that have been going on with my pain since my two cervical surgeries I have decided to go to a pain psychologist and see what he can offer me...

I was sent to him once by the NS who did my posterior cervical foraminotomy and then before doing ACDF he wanted to make sure I had realistic expectations of surgical outcomes...needless to say the relationship with the NS deteriorated and I felt I was not treated fairly or professionally so I changed to an Ortho spinal specialist and had the ACDF 2 leve done in Sept of 2008 with him.

MOVICOL

straker — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 05:15:20 -0800

hi all
now i know that constipation is not a pleasant subject!
but {no pun intended!} most of us on here will take a laxative of some sort.i take movical..this preparation tastes like hell ! ..but i have found a way of killing the taste.here's what you do
place the powder in a mug
next boil the kettle
then put about just less than a quarter of boiled water in the mug
then pour some orange squash in the mug
then stir to dissolve the movicol
then top up to about half way up the mug of cool water
from the tap
you should find that the nasty taste has all but disappeared
good luck

To Stay or Go?

DoggieMommy — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 17:18:53 -0800

I'm new to these boards and not even sure if I am in the right place. I have suffered from dibilitating migraines for the last 17 years. After having a migraine daily for 6 months and being dismissed by my neurologist we finally stumbled upon a medication that helped me. All of this I managed to deal with while working full-time and goind to graduate school For two years I was virtually pain free and in that time met an attractive, intelligent, romantic man.

MORNING PAIN

straker — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 05:03:29 -0800

hi all
now what i want to know is this...when i wake in the morning i am in agony .my back is stiff and my right leg is on fire and it feels like someone is crushing my leg and my foot is cold {normal temp to touch} and numb but hyper sensitive! IE if i put slippers on they feel like they are too small{that are not by the way}.so the only thing i can put on my feet are girls fluffy bed socks!!! because they are soft.very soft.

Highly active people after buldge/herniated disck?

Patattack — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 00:51:33 -0800

Are there any people out there who after a buldging/herniated disc still remain highly active without surgery? Im talking about like running several miles a day, gymnastic,or martial arts daily. I'm only 22 years old and i have a buldging disc in my l5 s1 and basicly urban acrobatics, gymnastics, and running are my life. My pt says i should be ok to start doing these things again. Even though im still in some pain, i still feel a bulge, and my back gets tighter and tighter as the day goes on.

Anyone got advice?

Bad Burning pain !! So tired of dealing with this all! Please read sorry so long!

Misty Spirit — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 07:14:46 -0800

Hey all,
Some may already know me from my old screen name.."Chrissy1311

I was in a car accident in July 2007, and then in Jan of 2008 had a posterior cervical foraminotomy at C 3-4 and C 4-5...What an awful surgery. I had a neuro who did this first neck surgery.
He told me right form the start that later I would probably need to be fused but he did not like to fuse people my ag...
To make a really long story short I later found out that he was thinking I was in my late 20's and I at that time was38.

Warning! Fatal toothache!

topfuelfan — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 03:46:33 -0800

Hello everyone,
First of all I have to keep this very short because I am not feeling very well at all right now. This is to anyone who has started having problems with their teeth after their back problems started up.
Almost immediately after I had my first two surgery's my teeth started to become a problem. I've had a lot of loss in enamel on my teeth and because of the pain I keep my teeth clamped together like a vice at all times, 24/7. I have broken a lot of me teeth because of this and have had tons of dental work done in the past 5 years. It never seems to end.

please help! Everything's gone down hill since My first L5-S1 M/D in June

Mizitalian83 — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 00:42:14 -0800

Please help me. I had my first M/D in June for an L5-S1herniation. I was also experiencing sever right leg pain and numbness. After the surgery the legpain was gone although my entire leg ,with the exception of my calf, was numb. Four weeks post op I was physically asaulted(sp) that resulted in me twisting and within one hour i started feeling that familiar down the back of my leg.

Back problems - past redemption?

8opslater — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 13:16:42 -0800

Hail the reader and bless the respondent.
I am 72 years old. I was poisoned during the '39 - 1945 2nd world war.
The family became lame as a result. When some strength returned and we learned to walk again some muscles had given up the ghost entirely, leaving us (my family, 3 brothers father and mother) to learn to walk using that which would work for us. The result is that i walk with a bad gate which has effected my feet (flat feet) my knees (knock knees) and my hips and spinal cord.
At that time we were in hospital for about a year in Holland. Emigrated to South Africa in 1948.

Feels like my back is Compressed

juliree — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 11:14:04 -0800

Hi everyone im new here and thankyou for taking the time to read this. im not sure where to post this, i hope im not messing this up already
Jan. 2008, i slipped off the top of a "ICY" porch (buffalo,NY area)... Landed in a "Perfect Sitting Straight up Position" over about 5 stairs Down... Soo All of my weight felt like it went Up* as i feel down.. I have had the "Wind Knocked Out of Me" before (owning Horses), But never like this before!!.... I could not even Breathe for over a minute and, got EXTREMELY Nauseated!!.... A month later..went to a Chriopracter, he tried one

Not Sure Where to Post This - I need advice

JustDucky923 — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 07:54:09 -0800

found this forum by searching on referred groin pain. I have been dealing with this for about 10 years on and off. No doctor has ever been able to (or cared to) find out the cause of it. I don't have insurance. I had a car accident 14 years ago and suffered a ruptured disc in my neck (c5-c6) and I've had lower back issues ever since the birth of my son in 1977. About 10 years ago I got my first groin pain. It just comes out of the blue and feels like an electric cattle prod. The pain will last anywhere between 1 and 30 seconds and then be gone.

Epidural Fibrosis (Scar Tissue)

LostYouth — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 10:24:31 -0800

I have been reading this forum for awhile now and it has helped me in making decisions about my own care. I recently had a microdiscectomy L4-L5 in November. I had the same surgery 6 years ago at L4-L5 L5-S1.

On my most recent MRI done in September, it showed a lot of scar tissue and a medium herniation at L4-L5. My surgeon said that he did not know if it was the herniation causing my pain or if it was the scar tissue. He culd not guarantee that if I had the surgery that my pain would go away.

Chronic back pain

Ann H — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 04:41:47 -0800

Good Morning, it's been a long time since I last posted and was rather suprised to see the site was moved, but luckily I found it.

I have a problem with my chronic back pain as well as looking for a new pain management doctor.

update for you all that had kind words

susieq2u — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 03:04:04 -0800

I wanted to thank you all for your kind words of advice. I have had some time to think and take my new medicine after being told that my doctor didn't see anything wrong enough to do surgery. I did check into a vertical MRI and am waiting for that to be scheduled. I also am doing better with new medicine and the (patch) for numbing purpose. It works kindof. I would say my pain has changed from a 17 to about a 9 to 10 so that is a big difference.

Husband wants to move to Alaska

Metalmommaa — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 10:26:56 -0800

Hello new here. So right now I suffer from Sciatica, DJD in my lower back which is very painful and fractures from my hips to my feet. 11 all together. (US Army Vet) My husband is still in the Army and is trying to talk mr in to letting him put him for Alaska. I want to so I am so scared that my body is just hurt worst. Im 27 and can not hold my 6 month old son for more then a few mins.

How is the cold and wet weather gonna affect me? Im really bothered by this. Any advice will help thanks

Husband wants to move to Alaska

Metalmommaa — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 10:26:52 -0800

Hello new here. So right now I suffer from Sciatica, DJD in my lower back which is very painful and fractures from my hips to my feet. 11 all together. (US Army Vet) My husband is still in the Army and is trying to talk me in to letting him put in for Alaska. I want to but I am so scared that my body is just hurt worst. Im 27 and can not hold my 6 month old son for more then a few mins.

How is the cold and wet weather gonna affect me? Im really bothered by this. Any advice will help thanks

seasonal flu/colds etc

straker — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 06:42:04 -0800

hi all
i was just wondering ..is it just me ..or ,,,is it when pepole like us .ie chronic pain suferes get a cold or the flu ..do we suffer more than mr/mrs average?
since i came back from my hoildays in furteventura i have had a cold and i ache like mad even worst than normal
its driving me mad! its bad enough having bad pain 24/7 anyway we dont need any more do we
on that note evey one try to enjoy the hoilday

Meds not taking pain away, is it hopeless, looking for advice, what to do next

tweety8730 — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 05:34:21 -0800

I will start off by telling you some history, In 1992, I was injured in the Army, discharged with pre exisiting condition(high arches). I had stress fractures in both femurs near my knees, one was large and if continued,would have definitely broke my leg near my knee in turn would have messed my knee up big time. In 1996 I was in a rear end auto accident, my head was turned looking to the left when hit, while at a stop sign.

Need Your Input!

jebenson420 — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 09:03:06 -0800

For the past three years I have suffered from intense lower back pain that radiates into my right thigh, as well as a burning sensation in the saddle region of my groin.

Update. questions

crashh — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 05:40:41 -0800

So folks , hello. I wanted to ask you all if any of you have experienced what I have. So I went and had my 2nd MRI w con. since my surgery discectomy on Aug 11, 2008. At first it was LEFT leg pain. I have neurontin 2700mg per day that helps a great deal keeping that pain under control. 2 weeks ago I started to get this burning/cold/numb feeling in my upper outside of my RIGHT leg. Over the last 3 days the area has gotten larger. It has gone from only bothering me only when I lay on my back to being almost completely numb all of the time. I am very worried.

Broken 80mg Oxycontin tablets! Help!

topfuelfan — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:35:14 -0800

I recently had my prescription refilled, which are 80mg Oxycontin, and 3 of my pills are broken. I was filling my daily pill reminder box and came across the first one so I turned the bottle upside down and could see all of this white powder and blue bits.

Flare up after grocery shopping, do I ice or heat??

Ming — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:30:29 -0800

What am I supposed to do??

Motorized Scooters

meydey321 — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:26:20 -0800

Hi everyone,

I was watching the commercial for The Scooter Store and they say they can get you one through Medicare or private insurance for little or next to nothing out of pocket. I was wondering if anyone here has ever applied for one. Also, do you all like me use them at stores or supermarket and how do you feel about it? I have to use them and I'm not embarrassed anymore. If I go somewhere I worry about getting around. Walking, standing or sitting too long while cause more pain. Lately if I venture out, I will feel too uncomfortable and can hardly wait to go home.

mst

vktor — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 10:11:05 -0800

hiya

my doctor has just put me on 5mg MST twice a day with liquid morphine as needed. I have been manageing to live with the pain just taking over the counter meds and codeine 60mg at night. I like a beer at the weekend and this medication says you cant have a drink. Also, it says that it is very adictive. I would prefer an injection or something along those lines but im not due to go to the pain clinic for another month. I'm not sure what to do. Any advice would be appreciated.

Overgrown fusion

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 22:33:26 -0800

I had a fusion last year. Doc placed a cage, some bones, and BMP in replace of my disc at L5/S1 level. Perhaps due to diabetes, this fusion took a long time to grow. At 15 months, I did an MRI and the fusion looked great. Completely joined and covered the area. Now at 19 months, in my most recent CT, a new finding - it is clearly seen that the fusion has overgrown and now projecting out of the disc space, and compressing on my nerves. This is on top of the nerve being wrapped by the scar tissues.

Can I add any more emotional pain?

luvuniformandcuffs — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 22:04:51 -0800

I just found out that I am pregnant two weeks ago and have seen 3 doctors for advice due to all of the medicatons I am on. I have done so much research on my own - but today I saw my PM Dr and he also said that I needed to terminate the pregnancy due to meds and my condition. So here I turn for help and grasp at a last minute reprieve.

a few questions

helpless — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 02:50:02 -0800

Well I have a DDD, Mild retolisthesis of the L4 and L5. I tear in the annular central. A disk heriation in the L5 and the disk abuts the left and right nerve roots. I'm on a muscle relaxer, vicdin, and tromadol. I have jumped threw every hoop that the doctors have ask me to. I know that they what to do surgery but this has been going on for about 9 months. I just want to know how long everyone else had to do all this tricks for the doctors before the would schedule surgery?

down and out in december

tim58 — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 03:20:36 -0800

on the 12 of december i went to my mail box to get the mail i was shocked to see i had been sent a order of protection seems my wife took something i said completely out of context while i was in a terrible mood swing from the narcotics i have to take , yes i said some thing things that hit nerves but no one knows untill they have stood in my shoes exactly what my pain is like isuffer from 5 bulging discs in my spine ,a failed fusion L3-4 to S1 i have pain 24/7 and the drugs im on are as follows oxycodone,15 mg ,tramadol,50mg 4 per day.

My husband is still in the hospital

DomesticAdvocate — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 20:40:22 -0800

after a very bad car accident and he is slowly being weaned off of the strong amounts of medications. Will you please give me ideas on what works to ease the pain once he is home?

This is all very new to us.

Thank you.

New Worst Pain

Tig — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:31:30 -0800

When is it ever going to stop. I started my membership hare with neck pain, bulging discs, osteophytes, need for op at C5/6. THEN I was diagnosed with widespread Oeseoarthritis which is termed acute at present!

NOW I have a sore thumb...yes THUMB! ...I have trigger finger and it is killing me. I have splints...but ooh every time I brush against anything....well I say some very very nasty word.

They say I will need injections into the joint....oh lord as usual the cure is as bad as the illness. Wonder what will be next????

Misery

meydey321 — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 09:15:25 -0800

I hate to whine. I have been so lousy for weeks now, and I don't feel like doing anything but laying down. I try to keep my mind occupied by reading and posting here. The house has gone to hell; I have no stamina to conquer the kitchen. I feel guilty when my hubby has had to cook many a nights now and I feel bad delegating chores to the kids. I say to myself I'll get it and try not to push anything on anyone. It'll still be there for when I feel up to it. My downfall is I am a perfectionist at heart but I have let go of my pickyness a long time ago.

Hellish pain due to backtrauma after car accident 11 months ago. Desperate for help.

Brokenback1983 — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 07:04:55 -0800

Dear all,

I am in 2 types of pain:
- a constant backache which manifests itself all over the back and especially at the bending point between shoulder blades
- a very sharp pain around L4 which "stabs" right though my back about 3 or 4 times a day.

I was run over on my bike by a cement truck 11 months ago and this resulted in:
-compressionfracture of L4 and disc herniation
-chipped of L1,L2,L3 process transverses on the left side. L1 has grown back but L2 and L3 have not.

Hellish pain due to backtrauma after car accident 11 months ago. Desperate for help.

Brokenback1983 — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 07:04:50 -0800

Dear all,

schizo pain drs

terror8396 — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 06:37:24 -0800

i see my pain dr every 2 months and one time he will tell me my meds are good and he will not change them , then the next time he will say he wants me to try to drop my doseage. so when i go to him, i feel like i am in the principal's office. well, again, he said he will keep my dose where it is and now since i am stable, i might not have to see him for 3 months and not 2. i am on 4-40mg oxy and 4 700micro gr of fenatyl lollypops a day. i feel like i have to make up stories so he will not change doseage.

Need help with x-mas gift

RobertQQ — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 05:25:59 -0800

Hi all!! I was wanting to buy my mom a back massage cushion for christmas because she has constant pain in her back. The one i was thinking about getting her can be found by following this link....its the one for $199.99 http://www.homedics.com/products/massage/back-massage-cushions . Do you all think this is a good one that will help her. Or, Can anyone tell me of one that is good and helps with pain? I only have around $200 so any ideas in that price range would be great. Thanks for all your help!!!

RobertQQ

Great Chronic Pain Article

J.J.Grey — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 11:24:11 -0800

Finally, a really good article on chronic pain! If you suffer from chronic pain, read this.

http://health.msn.com/health-topics/pain-management/articlepage.aspx?cp-...

Low back spasms

AROULETTE — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 11:18:06 -0800

OK, every year my back goes into spasms and I cant walk erect for about 3 weeks. Then another 3 weeks of hurting after sitting and then takes me about 4-5 minutes of stading erect before it loosens. Each time, after this happens, I get pain killers and muscle relaxers. Is there anything to speed this process up like injections or something?

what is EMG

Ming — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 08:24:56 -0800

I thought I've had all the tests there are until I've seen others posting about an EMG. What is this and what does it check for and what is involved in this test?

breast reduction questions

delta_dawn67 — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 01:13:30 -0800

I have chronic lower back, neck and shoulder pain and excruciating headaches caused by ddd and 3 herniated disks in the lower back and "nothing major" in the neck according to the doctor who couldn't be bothered to read the MRI report. I am very seriously considering breast reduction and I would love to hear from any of you have gone through this. Please tell me if the pain was as horrible as I'm imagining? Did it help with your back pain and any other symptoms you had? If you could go back would you do it again? Thank you to anyone who is willing to share their story!

chronic pain and returning to work

Ming — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 12:55:34 -0800

Have any of you been forced to go back to work even though you are still suffering with your chronic pain because you have no other choice financially?

Back to LIfe Machine Informercial

meydey321 — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 11:00:38 -0800

Has anyone seen the informercial about the BackToLife continuous passive motion machine for back pain. It is a T-shaped machine that you use by laying on your back and resting your legs on it at a 90 degree angle and it supposedly gently stretches your lower back.
There was this back "specialist" that said it would take away the need to take costly painkillers that would have a cumulative dangerous effect on the body. It will take your pain away, regardless of how long you have had it, and it relieves mild to severe pain. All at 5 easy payments of $39.99. Proposterous!

coerced or what?

enchantress — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 16:37:23 -0800

I have the ball of wax, can't put the back problems into one category. I hope back pain sufferers will read this and answer me on this: do I HAVE TO agree with useless PT and epidurals to get pain medication relief? WHY AM I BAD TO WANT A PILL FOR 4 DOLLARS A MONTH OPPOSED TO 700 DOLLARS IN COPAYS FOR PROCEDURES I HAVE LEARNED THROUGH SUPPORT GROUPS DON'T WORK?
Who, exactly, is the nut here? The one raking in fake bucks or the person suffering being made to dance to the music? I am so tired of this..........I know not what to say anymore! Is this the only game in town??????????

Can't subside the pain

Ming — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 11:56:45 -0800

I've been in such pain since I had my appt with PM doctor on Friday. I think it was from the twisting, turning and bending. My pain meds aren't touching the pain, I've tried resting, heat, ice everything. The pain is so excruciating in my lower back, down my legs, butt and I notice more crunching and cracking in fusion area than I had before. I have an appt with PM on thurs for SI injections and I am hoping this is going to help.

Nuerontin and Nerve Pain

suziee — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 05:46:34 -0800

My Doctor recently, at my suggestion put me on Nuerontin and I have to say it has been a miracle drug for me. My pain didn't start orginally as nerve pain but the last few months has turned in to nerve pain. I have the burning foot thing going on and the pain runs down the right side of my back through my butt into my foot.

My question is why would it turn in to nerve pain? Was it because we didn't treat my original pain early enough and it caused further damage?

So much pain

Sat, 06 Dec 2008 23:25:24 -0800

Thank you everyone who wrote and asked about me. I have been missing in action for the last few days! I have not been feeling well.

constant muscle spasm - anyone have this?

aimless — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 11:27:37 -0800

Not exactly sure where to post this, and I am going to ask my doc when I see him on the 15th, but I am wondering...

I have this constant muscle spasm in my left leg, at the top / back of my thigh, right below my butt. I would not say it is painful but I can literally feel it moving all the time. I had an MRI the other day and the movement did not interfere with that, and I do take a muscle relaxant every night (can't take them during the day). It just doesn't seem to go away.

Scar Tissue

backpainishell — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 10:57:06 -0800

Can scar tissue attatch itself to organs? Can you get pain from scar tissue? Can it buldge? I would appreciate any input , Thankyou

Angie

grin to hip pain

alumbaugh — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 10:52:34 -0800

Four the lat 11-12 monts i have been having stabbing from groin to hip breath taking pain and a constant burning sensation in my left hip it radiates sometimes down to my ankle. I have had MRI & CT and they cant find disc problem outside of degenerative problem. I have tried injection and no reliefe. Anyone else have this problem and what did they call it, I am looking for help!

Thanks

bath time pain management

RGerrish — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 21:05:56 -0800

My friend recommended me finding EDITED for aches and pains, stress and tension, and cold and sinus. add 1/3 of a cup each to bath water nice and hot close the door to keep the heat and wonderful effervescent vapors ahhhh soo nice..... sit and soak for 30 min or so with your favorite book or nice low music and candles(be careful when playing with fire)..... sweet relief... well somewhat at least. If you can't use em give em to your significant other as a bath time treat to give them time to pamper themselves(my wife loves them). hope these help

EDITED

enjoy the link.

jUST GOT AN mri AND HERE IS WHAT THEY FOUND

AROULETTE — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:10:28 -0800

iI am 41 and played football for 19yrs. Must have taken a toll. What should I do know that the MRI is done? Here are results:

1.) THORACIC SPINE(LIMITED):PROMINIENT DISC HERNIATION,EXTRUSION VARIETY,CENTRAL/RIGHT PARACENTRAL DISTRIBUTION, T-9,ABUTTING AND EFFACING CORD AS DISCUSSED ABOVE. MILD CENTRAL STENOSIS.
2.) T-11-T12 LEFT PARACENTRAL/PRE-FORAMINAL PROTRUSION EFFACES LEFTWARD VENTRAL THECAL SAC AND CONTRIBUTES TO LEFTWARD FORAMINAL NARROWING. MILD FACET ARTHROPATHY.
3.) MILD SPONDYLOSIS CERVICAL SPINE

Hey Iam claire, Very confused about my chronic pain.

Clairetwinkle — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:41:14 -0800

Hello i am new, nice to meet you all. I have suffered from chronic pain back for 3 years now. and shoulder, neck and leg pain. I have had an mri on my lower back and i have been told i have scars on my spinal cord maybe due to heavy lifting, by being a carer. The doctor would not give me the time of day to explain what that is? or how i can help myself? how to help my pain? I am 19 years old and i am not sure if i am going to have this for the rest of my life, it has really stopped my life in alot of ways.

Thank you very much for your time, i would love to hear from you

from claire xx

I Am So Disappointed

Tig — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 07:00:45 -0800

I have been waiting for admission to hospital to remove the osteophyte and disc at C5/6. As the time has passed I have phoned the Neurosurgeon's secretary weekly. I am now told it will be January at the earliest.

I am so down about this, I feel I need the surgery so I will be able to get a clearer picture of where my arthritis is at this time. We do not know if the deterioration is caused by the osteophyte, or is it my arthritis.

I remain in no mans land and am as confused as ever,my hands are useless and my mobility is getting poor.

It is very hard to remain positive at this time.

Got bone scan results today

allibrooke28 — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:10:57 -0800

Hi everyone,

work and chronic pain, watch out they are out to get you

terror8396 — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 06:31:26 -0800

When I had my last surgery, I gave my work, the union and H.R. my note with limitations. Well of course this was ignored and I have had problems since I got back. My principal complained that I went out this year and last at the same time referring that I went out so I would not have to finish the year. I was very angry, and got into an argument with her and I also received a bad evaluation. I have taught for 21 years with fully effective evaluationns. I went to union and h.r. and complained. notes were taken but of course nothing will happen about this.

my hopes were crushed today please help

susieq2u — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 02:24:22 -0800

Hi All,

I went to my surgeon with all my tests and my MRI today.
To my surprise he told me that I had Mild disc bulges and
arthritus which he said wasen't uncommon. I asked why I am
I so much pain and he said he had no idas........

He said I would need to go back to my pain management doc
and maybe try a lidoderm patch and a stronger pain med
along with the nerve and muscle pain meds I take. He also
said he would refer me to a nerve doc, but he had said my
nerve test was alright enough to say I have no back
issues.

Anyone With Herniated Disc and Burning Knee Pain?

harmon25 — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:32:21 -0800

Age 20, diagnosed a bit over a month ago with HD in L4-L5. I have had diff symptoms of it since (the tingling, numbness, etc) however most of my pain now is in my knee.

I have some back stiffness and a bit of pain in my back but all of my pain is really in my knee on the side where my back hurts (the left). It is mostly above and below the knee cap and is just a real burning type of dull pain. No other way to describe it but burning.

My doc won't prescribe...

profofhumanities — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 04:00:38 -0800

My doc gave me Vicodine when my back started this long descent into Hades. One pill every eight hours. At first it worked for four hours. Now, five weeks later, I take two of the suckers and get nothing. He won't change the meds.

Local background: Last year quite a few pain management clinics were busted and closed for too many drugs hitting the streets. Lots of docs in the area quit writing prescriptions for Xanex, Soma, etc...cold turkey. No scripts. Doesn't matter why you may need the medications.

So, shopping for a new doc is not likely to improve the situation. Any advice?

need advice. back pain after sleeping for awhile.

xtoverus1 — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 02:45:21 -0800

I have somewhat of a strange problem I think. I have the usual back problems associated with being in the army, occasionally I'll throw my back out and have to rest for a few days but that doesn’t happen often. My problem is sleeping, when I goto bed my back feels fine but after sleeping for about 3-4 hours I get this pain that feels like its behind my lower ribs near my spine on both sides. Gradually this has gotten worse year after year. A couple years ago I could sleep for about 6 hours and be alittle sore but I could manage to get back to sleep.

Are My Fears Justified

harmon25 — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 11:09:05 -0800

I'm a 20 yr old male soon to be 21. I got an MRI for bad back pain, diagnosed by my neurologist and orthopedist as a slight Disc Herniation in L4-L5

For a bit over a month now I have had most of my pain in the front of me knee. Not on the knee cap, but mostly right above it. Some burning sensation at times and it used to be worse than it is now, but still hurts. I used to have typical HD, pain such as numbness, tingling, pain radiating down the leg but never so much on the knee.

lower back pain

robbo — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 16:02:05 -0800

hi .i suffered a fall 2 years ago and fell onto my lower back.and i am still in pain now.so much for the pain should ease within two months.the doctors seem to think they know more than the person it has happened to.i have been told i have 3 prolapsed discs and my back is in such a bad way now they wouldnt even operate on it as its to risky.i walk 50 metres and need to sit down as im in so mush pain i cant drive for more than 30 mins before i have to stop and reat.no tablets work.i have been to try and sign off work but the doctors think they know more about my pain than me.its their body not

Help?

megronx — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 08:18:16 -0800

Hi guys, I'm Meg, I posted in the welcome forum if anyone wants to know a little bit about me. I have recently had my second back surgery and I'm struggling with pain management. If you have had pain management please take the time to read this! I need all of the help I can get. Thanks.

I had my first back surgery when I was barely 20 after I fell off of a horse over a six foot jump and landed on my feet, obliterating my L5 S1. I went in for a doctor's appointment and had emergency surgery the next morning after spending the night strapped to a backboard, immobile.

The Human Body - And the Stero Effect

dilauro — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 12:28:09 -0800

The human body is an amazing intricate work of mystery.
When its fine tuned, it can outperform any man made machinery or computer. However, when something goes wrong somewhere, it is amazing to see just how fast that can travel wrecking havoc unless it is properly treated.

We recently returned from a two week vacation in Italy. I did more walking over cobble stone streets, volcanic ash, dirt, hard stone and sand and I felt great! At the end of the day, I was exhausted and my legs said they had enough.
But I was till operating on all cylinders.

D1 hockey player, desperetly needs advice/treatment

ryan9 — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 22:31:13 -0800

I was injured in a hockey game vs. Yale on January 4, 2007. I finished my shift after the hit, rememembering exactly what happened. Sitting in the bench, my trainer came over to treet the cut from my chin that was bleeding, but i immediatly asked for tylanol for the most painful headache I have ever had. I comtinued to play the rest of the game with very short breath, nausious stomach and the feeling of being injured baddly. I then took another hit giving me more stars while playing.

Help with SI joint pains

toutvent — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 01:52:31 -0800

I have a lot of problems with my back and for which I take morphine, I have had injections in both my SI joints 6 weeks ago but the pain is back, I am haveing trouble as sometimes out of the blue and for no reason I get the worst pains in my SI joints and sometimes I feel that my legs will let me down, this pain will last for 3-4 days, today I was brushing my teeth when it happened now I will have to suffer for a few days has anyone got any clues as to what is wrong or is it normal that the injections only last 3-4 weeks.

perfect laptop bed desk

dawn1068 — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 09:42:05 -0800

Hello everyone,

I just looked in the new bed bath and beyond ad.

There is a bed desk for laptops and storage. $29.99 dont forget there coupons never expire they send in the mail. even though it has a exp. date there policy is they are always valid.

http://www.xxxxxxxxxxxx.com/yyyy.asp?order_num=-x&

ITS CALLED: MY PLACE BED DESK [AS SEEN ON TV] HERES THE LINK.

I think this could be useful to some of us. especially me... THE CAPS QUEEN... LOL.

DAWN

Edit to remove URL link, by Ron DiLauro, Spine-Health Administrator 11/24/08

2nd mri results confused need help

dawn1068 — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 09:48:12 -0800

Hi everyone.

Thanks in advance for your help. I been having severe neck and shoulder, arm and hand pain and numbness, including numbness on left face. I have had chronic pain in the lumbar spine for 5 years now.

MY STORY

dewy — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:39:11 -0800

This story begins with 2 visits with a chiropractor and 2.5 years of hell. The chiropractor manipulated my spine 2 times and he ruptured my L5s1 and a tear in my L5L4.I would gladly have my old back.

enlarged kidney causing back pain?

dewy — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 05:34:29 -0800

has anybody heard of this?

UGH

shalom — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:30:58 -0800

Well we had our first major storm-complete with a power outtage(no heating pad or microwaveable beanbag ) and at painful times like this I really wish I was a bear! Brown, black, grizzly it doesn't matter which kind as long as I could HIBERNATE till spring.

Anybody else suffering with the cold temps? If I ever win the lottery the bahamas is on me!!!!

Sleeping with pain.

rocky39a — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:51:27 -0800

In 2003 I had my lower back fused: L4-5. For a number of years have experienced throbbing pain when lying down at night. I wake up in pain, and have to roll over back and forth all night long. No pain when I'm walking, and upright. Any suggestions?

Bad day with chronic pain!

Pixie — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:16:55 -0800

Sitting typing this with my left hand, as the muscle spasms in my right arm have gone into meltdown. Just downed 2 diazipam and waiting for the pain to level out.

Sometimes I wish that I could have a normal day. Dont have time for this tomorrow as I have to attend my pain clinic. And have to somehow get there for my yearly catch up.

Muscle relaxer making my joints stiff

dawn1068 — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:43:12 -0800

Hello everyone,

ANYONE ON THIS SITE BOTHERED BY PEOPLE TYPING IN CAPS

dawn1068 — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:18:49 -0800

JUST HAD A COMMENT ON A POST HAPPY ABOUT MY MRI APPROVAL AND SEEING MY NUEROSURGEON AND SOMEONE REPLIED I AM YELLING? I JUST CAN SEE BETTER WHEN IM TYPING IN CAPS ON MY LAPTOP. NOT YELLING AT ALL. JUST WONDERING SINCE SOMEONE SAID SOMETHING ABOUT IT IN MY OTHER POST. DOES IT OFFEND ANYONE? SORRY IF IT DID... DIDNT THINK IT MATTERED HERE, WHO HAS TIME FOR GRAMMAR AND COMPUTER TERMINOLOGY WHEN WE CAN BARELY SIT AT THE COMPUTER TO ENJOY A FORUM LIKE SPINE HEALTH!WE ARE ALL IN PAIN SO I THOUGHT IT WOULDNT MATTER HOW WE TYPED. WONDERING WHAT OTHERS THINK? THANKS ALL

SINCERELY,
DAWN

Started Lyrica on Monday night....WOW

tawny-taz — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:08:11 -0800

Well, I was started on Lyrica, 75mg 2 times a day. The first night I started having charlie horses and a few new pains I hadn't experienced before. The next day....look out, I had energy, wasn't in near as much pain and was in a good mood for the first time in months. My 12 year old even commented and said that I should stick with them because I wasn't grouchy now. When I told the nurse how well it was working other than a couple of new little pains she let the doc know.

FINALLY APPROVED FOR 2ND MRI HOORAY!!!

dawn1068 — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:56:21 -0800

HELLO EVERYONE

FINALLY APPROVED NEW MRI

21 years old and can't live with the lower back and buttocks pain. help?

bumhurts — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 20:50:15 -0800

I'm 21 years old and nothing has helped my pain for months. I am home now and fustrated after seeing a neurosurgeon today for the pain in my lower back(upper lumbar), my hips, buttochs, and thighs; along with extreme weakness.. ..

PAIN MEDS, 4 SPECIALIST AND 1 GP WHO DO I ASK?

dawn1068 — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 20:25:54 -0800

Spinal Stimulator

joyride3838 — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:05:19 -0800

I have had two major spine surgeries and numerous other pain related treatments. I am now reduced to being able to walk to and from the car, bathroom, couch, ect... I have decided to try the spine stimulator. I would love to here some feedback from those who have had it done.

Restriction- No BLT

ksgtinv — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 08:57:25 -0800

I have been looking at the posts because I am scheduled to have a L4-5 L5-S1 fusion in January. I have seen restrictions listed from other people and was wondering what No BLT meant? If anyone can give me an answer it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

AWFUL pain almost 2 years after back surgery!!!!

onlyonelucy — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:36:51 -0800

legpain

legpain — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:29:33 -0800

hi i have had 5 back surgeries with 3 plates n 6 screws with fusionl4,l5,s1,s2 .an siatica on left side of back n runs down back of left leg to heel,i've had this for 20 years,just went thru total left hip replacement an still have,siatica on left side of back n down left leg to heel,it's been 3months sence hip opp,i take 17 pills a day i hate it but i grin n bear it just curbs the pain,also thyroid,high blood press,n high colesteral,n acid reflux,my medications i take metoprolol 50mg,nexium40mg,levothyroxine 100mg,crestor10mg,amitriptyline hcl25mg,diazepam10mg,gabapentin100mg,kadian60mg,oxyc

shoulder, arm and hand pain

MKB — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:13:40 -0800

I was working the other day and leaning down to pick up some heavy items when I felt a sharp pain and a feeling of pulling around my left collarbone. I thought, "This is going to hurt tomorrow!" I got through the day, because I HAVE to work. Well, yesterday, I was in a lot worse pain, but it was on the right side instead of the left in my shoulder, arm and hand.

Compulsive habit on craking my back

perception — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:27:27 -0800

Hi,

my first time here.

i want to ask you if there´s any topic talking about a compuslive habit to cracking(or break, i dont know the exact name) your back.
Every minute. And it´s so painfull, but if i stop, Another pain comes harder.

What the best way to stop this?
Anyone? please??

How Long Can A Nerve Root( C6 ) cause pain after surgery ?

Graciespain — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 01:05:08 -0800

Hello, Does anyone have an idea how long
it takes for a nerve root to recover after surgery? I was told, 1 inch per month. I had my surgery July 05 and I am still waiting for it to heal. I had a ACDF C5-C7 done. When I went in to surgery my right arm was the only arm giving me pain. Already dealing with a 10 pain level. But when I awoke both my arms hurt at level 10, were numb and hard to move and use very weak. I guess I had a big BIG BONE SPUR right in the middle of my C6 nerve root. Once the
nerve was released it went crazy! To this
day I do not feel like I had Surgery if I

Lower /back pain 2 nd surgery is recommened!!

claudia — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 02:17:06 -0800

good morning, all well let me say back in 2006 i had a L-4 L-5 and s-1
after i would about a year started having problems, hip pain burning pain, now some knee- pain!! was on the left side now shifting all over the place
i had 2 MRI w/w out contrast, ct scan discogram ect ect.
My question one of the Disc the doc removed, he was suppose to put bone to replace it, and never put anything to re-place i asked a couple of doc why the said they dont know

cyst

maz — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 04:43:20 -0800

Hi I am Maz and am new to this forum today. I was looking for answers about a lumbar cyst. had an MRI in June after I was complaining (still am) of throbbing burning buttock and electric type heel pain. The pain is increased when sitting and walking. The MRI showed bilaterial facet degeneraion L5/S1 with a small cyst on the exist foramen of L5 it states this is "not obvioulsy compressing the root which may be related to the posterior joint"

have you ever felt that someone treated you badly due to pain?

Gabriella — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:19:34 -0800

hi,
the other night, after being treated less than desirably when trying to renew my insurance, i began wondering if anyone who has chronic pain and is impoverished by it has even been treated badly.

i used to be witty and pretty and a swanky dresser. now i don't have energy to put on make-up, wash my hair, put on jewelry--what i haven't sold lol--etc. i find that i'm being treated differently by people.

i'm starting to wonder if people with chronic pain are a 'hidden minority'.

New pain

Czechchick — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 10:20:59 -0800

Hi everybody,

pain and the media

terror8396 — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 06:35:28 -0800

i was watching my favorite train wreck celebrity rehab last night and once again we as pain patients are getting the royal shaft. jeff conway-taxi- apparently has had back problems and surgeries and why he keeps going on the show is a great unknown to me. apparently the quack dr dean called his surgeon and told jeff his surgeon said no more surgeries and no more pain meds. either this is one of the greatest quack jobs in history, to deny pain meds to a pain patient or this guy jeff is dr shopping. i cannot believe a dr would deny pain meds to a back patient that is in pain. why is this?

When was the last time when you weren't in pain or weren't aware of the pain?

forgive — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:25:40 -0800

Hi all,

My name is Betty and I'm studying at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada.

For our graduate capstone project, we're working on methods of immersion to support those who suffer from chronic pain.

We have a few questions right now that could help us along:
(If you feel this is better suited sent in a message to myself than posted here, please feel free)

Acceptence

j.howie — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:46:51 -0800

After fully waking up and getting pain level down. I decided that I felt I was going to have a pretty good day. So thinking of all of the "undone, things to do list" I would tackle a bunch of it. Then I thought, Ive been down this road before. Maybe I'll do half of the list. I'll feel good about the day and myself.
Well wait a minute, I'm setting myself up for defeat and depression.
So plan A will be do x,y,&z. plan B will be do x&y Plan C will be do x and try to be satisfied.
I managed to get plan B done, with a little help from my pain meds and not do to much damage to my back.

Highs and Lows

trater — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 12:16:48 -0800

Let's play a little game, just for fun. What is the high point of your day and the lowest point of your day... (I saw it in a movie and thought it was a cute idea)

Highest point of today was when my daughter's school called to ask me to substitute for a class. It made me feel really good for someone to think that I could handle getting out and doing something. I have been signed up to sub for several years, but haven't filled in for about four years. I feel like I can be useful! Can't wait to see how it goes.

Had needle EMG, Brain MRI w/ & w/o contrast

tawny-taz — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:37:07 -0800

Well, the EMG wasn't fun at all but not near as bad as I had stirred myself up to believe. The only thing it shows is that I have bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (mild), my brain MRI came back remarkably normal as they put it. Now I am waiting on blood work to see if whatever the problem is will be found there. This is so frustrating and I feel that they are going to tell me that all of the pain and problems are in my head and leave it at that and stop pain meds because they can't find the cause.

Back pain unbearable - please help

auroredawn — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 04:40:04 -0800

I started suffering with back pain 4 years and 1 month ago, about 1 month into my pregnancy. I had various physio exercises that i did later on in the pregnancy after the pain was steadily getting worse, but all the experts told me that after i had given birth, it would settle down. It didn't, just got worse, what started in my lower back now was over a larger area (up to below my shoulder blades) so i sought various treatments - chiropractors, sports massage, physio, even acupuncture - none of which worked. I have been using a tens machine which gives me limited relief.

Hardware Removal L4-L5 L5 S1 Fusion and Cadaver Disc

smpdsniper — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:03:53 -0800

I am a 34 year old now retired police officer. In April 07 I was smoked while riding my motorcycle on duty. Because of my 30 foot trajectory and subsequent smack on the asphalt I have had three fusion and disc replacements in C5-6 and L4-L5 L5-S1. I had the neck surgery in June 07 and have had no problems and had my L4-S1 On Oct 22-25 07. I am completely fused but have never been pain free. The pain is so bad I cannot stand it. Meds do not really help much either. I am married to a great wife and have two awesome daughters 5 and 3.

New Here with Back Pain

BrokenHeart — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:35:07 -0800

Hello, I have read many of your posts and I find them most helpful and encouraging. Im 38 years old and Ive had back pain for years 10 or so. I tolerated it. Back in 99 I fell about 25 feet while working in a water tank and landed on my bottom. This laid me up for awhile. Well two years ago

IF YOU ARE DEPRESSED OR STRESSED, CLICK HERE!!!

crazytinarabbit — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:22:11 -0800

Hi there everyone!! I am here today to give you a word or two of encouragement. It may be kinda corny but thats ok. Maybe it will make you smile just a little.

My pastor told us one time that we have 3 parts of our lives that, if they are fullfilled, we are a happier, more complete person.

Social

Back to Square One

Shannon — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:49:35 -0800

So anyone that may have read my introduction knows I've had chronic neck/shoulder and upper back problems for over 5 years now. Often times my neck and shoulders will literally lock up on me for days - on an average basis I'm generally just in pain, tired and depressed though.

the loss of an old life

dawniee — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 02:59:38 -0800

Hi,
I am slowly coming to the realisation that my pain issues are ultimately going to have an immense effect on all aspects of my life. Each day so far since all this started is a race against pain and time. It is me saying blah blah my back hurts I am in pain. This situation appears to be making me very self centred. It's not intentional it's just it engulfs your entire existence.

It's just that I want to be well again. I don't want to be in this situation. I want to be at a point were I can go back to work. I want my life back! Is that too much to ask for?

I think I have finally found some relief.

crashh — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 10:52:20 -0800

So I have had a L4L5 discectomy 8/11/2008. Now still in a great deal pain most all of the time I am currently awaiting another surgery for this scar tissue growing aroung the nerve root. I have acute nerve damage or something like that and still have a CSF leak and I am told "that is normal for my type of surgery". what do you guys think?

ANS SURGERY

Cambran — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 17:35:10 -0800

WOW!!! I have been through hell & back again & again!!!! Had ANS stimulator installed 10-9-08 this was my 3rd surgery this year. To make a long story short it helped tremendously for 2 weeks untill I shorted out. yep you hear me right...i had a wire go bad and it shorted out and it was basically shocking the heck out of me.

Many of you are misdiagnosed

anthropisces — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 04:53:54 -0800

I am not a doctor, but I believe that many of you are misdiagnosed.

Even if you have bulging, or herniated discs, your problems may originate from something entirely different.

Don't even bother approaching your family physician, or any medical professional, or anyone other than a physician that is recommended by a large number of people, who have been cured if you decide to investigate this disease. Otherwise, even if you have the disease, your test results will come back negative, or you'll be treated in a manner that will not cure you, and you will certainly be laughed at or worse.

Questions relating to lack of energy, depression due to chronic pain.

MooiMeisje — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 02:58:21 -0800

I feel tired so often. I know it must be the pain I am feeling on a daily basis and I never feel like I've rested well. I wake up several times in the night. I've also not really felt like a healthy person mentally. Often times very emotional and sensitive (overly). I don't feel like socializing or going out to do activities. I'd rather stay in.

Chest Pain

dmoonchild — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 07:57:45 -0800

For the past few days, Ive have been getting chest pain, not like a heart attact ) not that I know what that feels like) It ususally happens when I cant take the pain anymore. It is way out of control. Ive been at 8 on the pain scale for a week now with no relief. My PM switched my BT meds last visit on Oct 21. From 7.5 hydrocodone 4 x's a day to 5mg Oxycodone 3 x's a day. Not only am I having BT pain Its a constant pain even after I take my Oxycontin ( which was doing the trick) Im also getting my 2nd EPI on Nov 19th ( cant wait). Im just curious if anyone else gets the chest pain?

what is with pain mgt. doctors?

Gabriella — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:24:31 -0800

hi all,

this is my fifth try at getting a pain specialist to treat me after my old one that i had for 6 years tossed me to the wolves.
i made the appt. and told the doctor's assistant aforehand I was on medications, i told them i wanted treatment and wanted to get off the medications. i just don't know who to turn to anymore and each time i get turned away by a doctor, my pain lvls spike due to the emotional trauma.

this 5th doctor turned me away even after I told him that I wanted off the medications. In fact, he told me not to stop the medications because

Help with questions for 1st surgeon appt.

darbymai59 — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:54:46 -0800

I am going to my 1st appointment with a surgeon and I need help with some questions I should be asking. I'm very nervous and just can't think right now. Actually, I'm scared too death.

Darby

Looking for Sammy, Izzy, Conductor, Shoreline, Pepper and others

Oldpainfriend — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:52:53 -0800

Looking for Sammy, Izzy, Conductor, Shoreline, Pepper, AllanBruce, Fabby....just to name a few from HB. Many of your old friends are looking for you. Please post once you find this so we can locate you and talk about our pain. You can also send a private message.

Quality of Life

suziee — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:25:00 -0800

What do you do when your quality of life is no longer there. When you are unable to do the things you once enjoyed and doing the things you have to do are so painful you dread each and every day. I feel like I am between a rock and hard place and I'm sure most of you feel the same way. (I am on tramadol right now but the Doctor only gave me 20 and told me to make them last. Whatever!)

WHAT EXACTLY IS PAIN MANAGEMENT

dawn1068 — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 22:52:42 -0800

HELLO, I GOT A LITTLE INFO FROM A FEW POST ABOUT A CONTRACT AND SUCH. BUT IS THIS JUST FOR MEDICINE OR DO THESE DOCTORS REALLY HELP YOUR PAIN. HOW ? WHAT DO THEY DO EXACTLY? I REALLY DONT KNOW. I ALWAYS GO TO MY PRIMARY CARE AND HE REFERS ME TO ORTHOPEDICS AND PHYSICAL THERAPY AND SUCH. AND PRESCRIBES MY MEDICINES. HE DID MENTION RECENTLY THAT MAYBE I NEED PAIN MANAGEMENT. PLEASE HELP ME UNDERSTAND THIS. I THOUGHT DOING PHYSICAL THERAPY AND SUCH WAS PM.

THANKS
DAWN

DOES ANYONE EVER EXPERIENCE FACE NUMBNESS

dawn1068 — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 22:09:29 -0800

HELLO TO ALL THE PAIN PATIENT ONLINE AT 1 AM THAT MEANS I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE SUFFERING IN PAIN AND HERE ON SPINEHEALTH loL. WELL WE ALL NEED TO LAUGH SO WE DONT GO CRAZY. I KNOW EVERYONE IS GOING TO SAY TO ASK MY DOCTOR BUT MY ORTHO REALLY DIDNT KNOW IF CERVICAL HERNIATION COULD CAUSE NUMBNESS LEFT SIDE CHEEK. I CAN FEEL IT, JUST FEELS NUMB AND TINGLY COMES AND GOES FOR A YEAR OR TWO NOW. I DO HAVE MY WISDOM TEETH COMING IN ONE IS IN ON THAT SIDE MOSTLY BUT NO PAIN FROM IT. I DO HAVE TMJ BUT HAD IT SO LONG NEVER EVEN MENTIONED IT TO THE DOCTORS.

Bot did I cry today

dmoonchild — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:42:43 -0800

Ya know how all of a sudden ya wake up one morning and think "i just cant do this one more day". Well today was that day for me. I get these about once a month where I'm just so sick & tired of having pain suck the joy out of me. Today I was angry at my pain. We got the kids ready for school and I just broke down, in front of my kids and everything. My husband just held me as I sobbed for 10 min. Both my kids came over and hugged me too and said everything will be OK Mommy. I didn't want them to see me like that but I had no control. I HATE this pain I hate it!

Hello Everyone

Broke Back — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:01:59 -0800

I have read many of the post on this forum for several months. I would like to thank everyone for the knowledge that I have gained from visiting this site. I have suffered for several years with neck and back porblems and this site is very helpful. I have a history of severe whiplash (2003) and compresion fracture at L1-L2(2006). Degenerative lumbar disc. Bulging disc at L4 and L5 alond with sciatica and facet joint arthritis. Had a purcutaneous discectomy at L4 April of this year. Have had three cervical epidurals and three lumbar epidurals. Had Facet block injections today.

It seems to go from bad to worse.

Tig — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 08:25:39 -0800

Hi all, it seems to go from bad to worse. I am still on the waiting list for removal of bulging disc and bone spur c5/6 hopefully in the next 4 weeks. The NS advises that the loss of feeling in areas of left arm and right leg will be permanent as will weakness and loss of reflexes in left arm.

Then my thumb started to dislocate when I sleep, either in bed or while napping in chair, so now have referral to OT for splints you know ones for sleeping, ones for working and hey we may as well have ones for resting!!

Maverick Disc Replacement

jbarwick — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:51:58 -0800

I am interested in contacting people who are enrolled in the Maverick Artificial Disc Replacement Trials. I am eager to know if anyone is still in as much pain as I am. I was operated on in Jan of 2004 and have suffered with chronic/severe pain ever since. In Dec of 2003 I was told that my disc at L4 & L5 had degenerated to the point that what was left of my disc was pressing on my spinal cord. The surgery was "successful" as far as the placement of the disc, however, my life has now "degenerated" to the point that I am no longer able to work or to care for myself properly.

Take a bath!

Alex — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:46:44 -0800

Take a bath! Warmth or thermal is very good against back pain. Even better is a bath with Epsom Salt. Put like 3 cups of REV epsom salt (from CVS) into your bath water and enjoy soaking the Magnesium Sulfate (with its very relaxing scent). Stay in there for 15 minutes and feel rejuvenated and Backpain-free after.

legs vibrate after running

mikedel — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 07:17:55 -0800

14 weeks ago I fractured my C2 and C6 vertebrae in a bicycle accident. They were stable fractures. I had a neck brace for 6 weeks. I had no symptoms other than neck pain.
6 weeks ago I was allowed to resume running. I only did easy runs of less than a mile for the first 4 weeks. When I increased the intensity about 2 weeks ago I noticed a vibration at the top of my calfs immediatly after running. The vibration occurs only when I bend my neck down to look at my feet. The vibrations are strong for the first few minutes and then subside. They go away after about 2 hours.

treated inhumanely. doctors, pharmacist. no one will help

Gabriella — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 17:38:01 -0800

i filled an rx for oxycontin at walgreens 2 days ago. i never felt so humiliated. i'm still shaking. i've had no life in 10 years, since pain began. when the clerk took the script to the pharmacist, they began snickering. i cannot sit nor stand longer than 5 minutes without pain. i politely asked how long it would take. the pharmacist yelled at me to sit down. i sat for 2 minutes and then tried to ask again, but i never got the chance to explain that i wanted to pick up the meds the next day if it was going to be a half an hour.

L5/S1 Chronic Pain

sisko95 — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 04:10:23 -0700

Hello I suffered a fall in September 2001 and I have Chronic Low Back Pain, Depression, Right Shoulder Pain.

For the last 6 years I have been getting injections under xray every 3 months, which I have now stopped.

I was hospitalized for depression in August 2008 for 6 weeks, most of my medications were ceased - zyprexa, avanza, zoloft. I am now on Epilim, Serequel, Diazapam, Cymbalta and Temazapam.
I also saw a new pain specialist at the hospital for my chronic back pain. He had a look at my mri and ct scans and examined me he prescribed Lyrica Norspan Buprenorphine and oxycontin.

anyone get throbing pain in the lower back with sciatica

dawn1068 — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 20:15:30 -0700

hello everyone,

Met with Neurologist (long note)

tawny-taz — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:56:18 -0700

I am not sure what to think. I met with the neuro today. I did not get any answers "yet"! Mon. afternoon will go in for a MRI w/contrast of the brain, she also ordered a needle EMG- 4 extremity- WWO paraspinal(whatever that means) and a nerve conduction test, as well as a lot of blood work...CBC & platelets(auto), comprehensive metabolic panel, DHEA-S, TSH, Lipid Panel, Vitamin B-12 & D, folic acid serum, ESR-F, & ANA. I am terrified of needles so I don't like the sounds of the EMG or nerve conduction. Oddly enough though, I don't mind having my blood drawn.